About

 1972 - 77  University, M.A., Poznan

 1979 - 81  Goldsmiths College, Poznan

 1985 - 88  Ontario College of Art

Copyright 2007  Peter A. Barelkowski. All rights reserved

 

 

Peter A. Barelkowski, born in Poland to a business family always rebelled against their established codes. He started experimenting in painting

in the 70’s and in 1975 he established his first studio.

 

His art education began with an MA from the University of Poznan and continued at Goldsmith College (Poznan, Poland), Ontario College

of Art in Toronto (1985 – 1988) and less formally - in England and Norway, where he was street performing for tourists during the late 70's.

 

His work has been about human conditions like isolation and alienation. Creating a paradox between his joyful colours and darker subject matter, his paintings attempt to play with our ideas around sadness. As a form of subtle escapism, the figures in his paintings are depicted in a one dimensional, cartoonish style - with almost grotesque undertones. By doing so, Barelkowski hopes to create the feel of another world.

 

It took him two decades to decide to show his work publicly and in 2008 he started exhibiting, again.

 

In October 2008 he was elected a member of The Ontario Society of Artists, Canada’s oldest artists’ society (founded in 1872). He currently serves on the executive council for the OSA. In July 2009 he became a member of The Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts.

 

His paintings are in private collections in Europe, USA and Canada. His studio is currently located in Toronto, Ontario (Canada).

                             

 

Exhibitions:

 

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition ( TOAE ), juried, Toronto, July 9—July 11, 2010

 

Propeller Gallery, Main Gallery, Toronto, Solo Exhibition—”Come Play With Us ( An Invitation To Our Horrors) “, April 14—25, 2010

 

Gallery Stratford, Stratford, Ontario, OSA 138th members juried exhibition “Being in Time”, April 11—June 6, 2010

 

John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, Ontario Society of Artists juried show “Cause & Effect”, March 30—April 23, 2010

 

New York Art Expo 2010, New York, Solo, March 25—28, 2010

 

Toronto Artists Project 2010 ( TAP ), juried, Toronto, March 4—7, 2010

 

Propeller Gallery, Toronto, Salon Show,  January 3—17, 2010

 

John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, OSA New Members Exhibition, December 1, 2009—January 8, 2010

 

Arta Gallery, Distillery District, Artists Toronto juried show “Vis a Vis”, October 1—15, 2009

Propeller Gallery, Toronto, Nuit Blanche, October 3, 2009

 

Arta Gallery, Distillery District, Toronto, “ I open my eyes “, August 8—20, 2009

 

Propeller Gallery, Toronto, Group Show ( After TOAE ), August 5—16, 2009

 

Propeller Gallery, Toronto, New members show, July 22—August 2, 2009

 

Pentimento Fine Art Gallery, Toronto, OSA Summer 2009 Exhibition, July 16—August 30, 2009

 

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition ( TOAE ), juried, Toronto, July 10—July 12, 2009

 

John B. Aird Gallery, Ontario Society of Artists juried show “Open Minds”, Toronto , May 7 – 29, 2009

 

Toronto Art Expo 2009, Toronto, March 19 –22, 2009

 

Studio Fuse,  Distillery District, Toronto, “ Paint the Town Red”,  Group Show,  February 14 – March 1, 2009

                                                                           

New York Art Expo 2009, New York, February 26—March 3, 2009

 

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition  ( TOAE ), juried, Toronto, July 11—13, 2008

 

Festival International Montreal en Arts ( FIMA ),  Montreal, July 3—6, 2008

 

John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto ,  Ontario Society of Artists juried show “Surfaces”, May 1 – 23, 2008,  Award of Merit

 

Toronto Art Expo 2008, Toronto, March 6—9, 2008

 

Canadian Art, Casa Loma, Toronto, February 2—3, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Peter A. Barelkowski,  Toronto,  Selected works

 

 

 “In his recent body of work, Peter A. Barelkowski is exploring the human experience of loneliness and isolation. Creating a paradox between his joyful colours and darker subject matter, his paintings attempt to play with our ideas around sadness. As a form of subtle escapism, the figures in his paintings are depicted in a one dimensional, cartoonish style - with almost grotesque undertones. By doing so, Barelkowski hopes to create the feel of another world. One that can be seen as fantastic, or merely underwater or underground - all places that exude the feel of a lost and isolated environment”.

( From artist statement )

 

 

“Adapting a visual language of grotesque and satire, Barelkowski effectively confronts the rationalism of historical perspective with the absurdity of political powers that repeatedly throws humanity into the haunting dance macabre of war and annihilation. Although, deriving from specific historical events, Barelkowski’s works convey a universal message, uncomfortably actual when applied to contemporary history”.

( Anna  Stanisz, Assistant Curator of Education at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection )

In Europe he is represented by

Barbara Brown, London, UK.

 

Private collection