Zbigniew Makowski (1930-2019), IGNOTUM PER IGNOTIUS, 1999

ink, gouache/paper, 29.1 x 31, 2 cm; cardboard, 43.2 x 47, 8 cm (work sewn with string to cardboard backing)
signed and dated in ink twice - in the composition on the right and d.m: Z. M. III. 1999
text in composition: ignotum per ignotius maybe it's methodological graphomania - but nice. Non scire fas est omnia - unsympathetic. - Knowledge as an OPIUM for the PRE-EMPLOYMENT - a nice thing to say! S.T. Coleridge shakes things up.

An integral part of Zbigniew Makowski's compositions are the texts. These are his own reflections and/or quotations from literary, philosophical or theological works. In this case, the reflection noted by the artist refers to knowledge and ignorance. The Latin phrase "Ignotum per ignotum" literally means "unknown by unknown" and refers to the logically incorrect translation of a concept in a very complicated way. "Unsympathetic" truth for Makovsky is the saying "Non scire fas est omnia". - "It is impossible to know everything".