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"Human Nature": Paintings by Aaron Szymanski
Aaron Szymanski, whose artistic works continue to progress in tandem with his successful career as president of Watertown-based Evo Design, shares his journey within himself to explore "Human Nature" in a new exhibition of paintings continuing through March 10.
For Szymanski, "Human Nature" marks a new direction in his artistic vision and an evolution from his 2005 show at Good News Cafe, which featured an exploration of light, shadow and linear compositions in urban architecture and landscapes. His most recent paintings show a movement within to tap into the fundamental, instinctual motivations for his artistic work.
"The concept of the show was to migrate from painting what I see to painting what I feel, and in the process answer the question of why I am compelled to paint what I have chosen to paint," Szymanski observed. "At this point, often I can only enjoy the process and the result of painting when the subject matter is selected by a gut feel rather than by theme, assignment or formula," he said. "Painting what I think I 'should' paint often results in something that I end up painting over.
"When I paint from feeling, the process and technique are effortless and the details of perspective, accuracy and subject matter have no voice," he added. "My hypothesis is that, if I can start and complete the communication of this initial creative feeling without being wooed by subject matter, social narrative or making a 'good painting,' I am better able to learn something and move closer to creating something new."
Szymanski's artistic development parallels the emergence of Evo Design over the past decade as an acclaimed innovator in product design for a global client base including multinational companies such as Nike, Timex, Samsonite and Chantal. Recipient of a bachelor's degree in industrial design from Columbus College of Art and Design, he cofounded Evo Design with Tom McLinden in 1997. His wide-ranging work at Evo covers the gamut from housewares and children's toys to electronics and medical equipment.
"What joins all the work together is the approach: seeking a perfect vision of what the product should be, not just today, but for the future," he explained. "If a design has integrity of vision and execution, it should never become obsolete."
Reflecting on his artistic evolution since his 2005 "Brick Yellow Collinsville" exhibition at Good News, Szymanski noted a continuity in his works reflecting a preference for urban and industrial subjects "over the typical natural settings that do not hold my interest.
"In crowds, cramped urban landscapes, industrial elements and layered planes, it seems easier to ignore the obvious focal point or identifiable subject matter and let the result be controlled by the other elements, like color, variety and pattern."
In his current exhibition, Szymanski cited the painting titled "Human Nature" as the most complete realization of this artistic vision. "'Human Nature' is an abstraction and interpretation of the painting called 'Schwartz's Montreal,'" he explained. "Both of these works were painted from a quick sketch done on site while I was eating their world-famous brisket sandwich."
In addition to his two exhibitions at Good News Cafe, Szymanski also has shown a sculpture selection at the Postmaster's Gallery in New York City. He resides with his family in Thomaston.
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