Ryszard Semko

Painting portraits has been an exploration of the depth of the inner world, a reaction to my feelings during the creative process.

My journey in painting has been a profound exploration of the depths of my inner self, shaped by personal hardship and the life-changing experience of relocating to New York City from Poland as a political refugee. This new reality brought isolation and nostalgia, and through my art I confronted and unraveled these emotions. My obsession with painting self-portraits was a dialogue with the inner self—a reaction to how I felt—that created every new piece. In 2010, I couldn't work on portraits anymore; I was mentally and emotionally exhausted. In 2012, I began exploring the monotype printing medium—creating unique, landscapes. As I mastered this technique, I realized the endless possibilities that flowed from my intuitive self-expression. In 2023, I painted a new series of self-portraits, aiming to revisit and explore the shadows of my past. To my revelation, I discovered that some things remain unaltered, persistently etched into my existence—a constant reminder of the inescapable facets of my journey.