A one-man show is on at the Zachęta National Gallery of Art, devoted to Wilhelm Sasnal, the artist whose debut in the late 1990s was one of the most spectacular successes in Polish art. In spite of his young age, Sasnal is recognized the world over. The exhibition features some of the recent works coming from the artist’s studio and Polish and foreign private collections. Sasnal’s works can be viewed at the Zachęta in Warsaw from November 27 until March 2. Maciek Proliński profiles the artist and his works.

The Milan-based Flash Art magazine devoted to modern art asked one hundred critics and one hundred galleries to pick the most promising contemporary artist. Two lists were compiled, each reflecting the views of critics and galleries respectively. But both groups had no doubt as to who should top the two lists. Wilhelm Sasnal came the uncontested first. The artist is no stranger to international accolades. On November 16, 2006 he
won the most important Van Gogh European art award. Sasnal is described as one of the hottest properties by the world’s leading museums and galleries. His works can be admired
at London’s Saatchi Gallery, Tate Modern, Pompidou Centre in Paris and New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Sasnal’s works beat ever new records at auctions. Once you needed to
pay a couple of thousand US dollars for one of his paintings. At the recent Phillips de Pury auction in New York the artist’s “UFO” of 2002 was sold for USD 216,000. His previous record was USD 204,000 for “Plane and bombs”.

Wilhelm Sasnal (born Dec. 29, 1972 in Tarnów) started out at the Faculty of Architecture at the Kraków University of Technology in 1992, but two years later he transferred to the Faculty of Painting at the Fine Arts Academy. In 1999 he received a diploma under Professor Leszek Misiak. Sasnal is described by critics as a versatile artist. He makes a meaningful, creative contribution to dominant trends. While paying his dues to the almighty art experts, he is simply a genius who, to put it simply, paints things as they are. He registers and interprets his surroundings, giving everything a subjective touch. He finds inspiration in the vast archives of old maps, leaflets, documents, books, rock music and political topography, which he successfully turns into works that refer to the collective consciousness, while remaining very personal. Hanna Wróblewska, Deputy Director of the Zachęta National Gallery of Art in Warsaw says: “He is a consummate artist. But he’s also a pop star. He attracts the interest of critics, curators, collectors and the media. When you think of pop stars, they personify everyone’s dreams. Sasnal is young, handsome and talented. His works sell like hot cakes. He’s made it. Success drives success.”