HENRY KONDRACKI'S THREE CITIES
Reviewed by Rhys Fullerton
‘In this exhibition I have tried to convey something of the essence of these cities and have focussed on the moments of calm and celebration instead of the stress and angst of city living.’
Henry Kondracki, January 2015
Those familiar with Broughton’s art scene will probably have heard the name Henry Kondracki and seen some of his colourful and distinctively stylish works in our local galleries.
Three Cities is his solo exhibition of new works at The Scottish Gallery on Dundas Street. This is Kondracki’s fifth show here, presenting works spanning three major cities: New York, London and of, course, Edinburgh.
Kondracki never shies away from painting well-known landmarks or cityscapes (he actively embraces it), but it’s the way he captures these places which makes his paintings unique.
Take 'Pink Clouds, 'Princes Street' (above), 'Blue Night', 'Arthur’s Seat' and 'Manhattan Twilight' (below) as examples. The hues seep through the paintings to convey a time of day or a particular mood. This is what elevates Kondracki’s work and why his paintings are so distinctive.
In 'High Summertime, Botanical Garden', Kondracki paints the familiar view of the city in between lush trees. It’s a familiar perspective, but lying on the grass towards the middle of the painting are a couple, almost hidden by the greenery. It’s this extra element, the pair of figures in this case, that draws your attention and lets the whole scene make you long for the summer.
In 'The Top of the Rock', Kondracki views New York’s skyscrapers from a viewing platform. The use of colour is superb but he can’t help but paint a young girl in a red and white striped jumper a level below him, looking at the same view through a telescope. This is another example of him seeing things from a different perspective and challenging the viewers to see the whole picture and not just the picturesque view.
The extraordinary 'London Eye' is the highlight of this exhibition and will rival anything in any exhibition for the rest of the year.
It’s a situation that we’ll all find familiar: you visit a famous landmark and expect stunning views of the cityscape, only for it to be obscured by the weather. Kondracki’s eye for detail means he can use this to his advantage, painting the raindrops on the window. Despite the very damp and wintery feel there is a playfulness to it, as there is in much of his work.
'High Summertime', 'Botanical Garden', 'London Eye' and 'The Top of the Rock' show that we may all look at the same view but Kondracki will spot something most of us wouldn’t otherwise have thought twice about.
When Kondracki moves away from his normal repertoire he still manages to find something subtle about it, as in 'Sledging' for example.
In 'Midnight Coffee' a dark and lonely figure sits in a New York diner while the bright and bustling city goes about its nocturnal business. It’s a small-scale painting without the bells and whistles of the city scene, but it’s extremely effective. There is tenderness in this painting, as there is in other Kondracki works, which leaves you with a desire to know more about the people depicted.
In conclusion, all I can say is stop what you’re doing. Head straight to The Scottish Gallery and revel in the works of the talented Henry Kondracki. You won’t be disappointed.
Henry Kondracki's Three Cities continues until 28 March 2015 at The Scottish Gallery (16 Dundas Street). Admission free.