Dosia Sobocka: Pools
Expressions in Water and Emotion
2-12 November 2023 - 9 Bd du Théâtre, 1204 Geneva
DOSIA SOBOCKA
Born in Krakow to artist parents in 1965, Dosia Sobocka’s passion for art was cultivated through her studies at the city’s Academy of Art during the 1980s. Now based in Berlin since 1999, her artistic path has been marked by more than 25 exhibitions across the world, from Rome to New York, showcasing her powerful work. After a hiatus, she returned to her craft with her Pools series in 2016 which is exhibited today.
Sobocka’s artistic influences are as diverse as her work. While she does not adhere to a specific "ism," she draws inspiration from the masterful techniques of Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and the Flemish painters of the 15th century such as Rembrandt and Rubens. Drawn to their expressive and intense use of light, shadow, and form, these elements are pillars of her own work. She also admires the early cubist works of Picasso, whose impact is particularly visible in her drawings.
POOLS
Sobocka's fascination with water as a subject matter arose by a swimming pool one summer. The sensations of water against her skin and the synesthetic experience of water, both within and outside of her body, went from a fleeting moment to a source of wonder and inspiration. Now, water, with its sensuality and sensory richness, has become a recurring theme in her work.
Reminiscent of Jacques Deray's iconic film "La Piscine'' and the crystalline pools of artist David Hockney, water and its interaction with the human body take centre stage in Sobocka’s artistic exploration. This is especially visible in her portrayal of summertime sadness, where an undercurrent of disquiet often lurks alongside the sparkling water, concealed in the dark shadows and hidden corners of sun-drenched scenes.
Sobocka explores the multifaceted nature of water, from its tactile qualities to its distinctive scent. For her, water symbolises purification, the power to cleanse memories and soothe pain. However, it's also a source of pleasure and relaxation. Her paintings are characterised by pronounced interplays of shadow, strong lines, and striking colour contrasts. In this series, she skillfully juxtaposes the sharp pool edges with the gentle curves of rubber floats, all the while integrating deep shadows that etch themselves onto the characters. This duality, for instance that between light/dark, sharp/round and joy/sorrow, lies at the heart of her creativity.
SENSORY IMMERSION
Sobocka’s work is not just about perception but also about engaging all the senses. It involves touching, smelling, and fully immersing herself in the subject matter. She draws inspiration from her memories, impulses, and perceptions, allowing her art to flow naturally and authentically.
Creating art, for Sobocka, involves a delicate balance between heart, mind, and hand. When these elements align, the creation process becomes a deeply fulfilling and transcendent experience. While these moments of unity are rare, they are the essence of her artistic journey. This balance between the physical and spiritual is seen in her approach to colour, marked by intuition and emotional resonance.
Sobocka is not a colorist for its own sake but rather uses colour as a means to communicate and evoke emotions. For instance, the earlier pool work features bright and vivid tones, which reflect a time of love and well being in her life. However her lake works (Green Lake, Blue Lake), created after a personal tragedy, take on a darker colour palette and more sombre tones.
These paintings reflect her emotional journey and the stories that linger beneath the surface of life. Nonetheless, neither artworks are fully happy nor fully sad. The pool series features dark shadows, which evoke a murking sense of uncertainty that the artist has struggled with her whole life. On the other hand, the lake works show light glinting off the surface of the waves, no matter how sombre their depths. For Sobocka, this complexity is what life, and art, are all about.
FORM
Form is another vital aspect of Sobocka’s work. Her fascination with the human figure, both faces and bodies, is evident in her work. She continually seeks to explore the intricacies and nuances of these forms, finding endless inspiration in their variations.
One of the figures Sobocka works with the most is her own, through self-portraiture. Fascinated with the female form, she often models the figures in her painting after herself. The nude woman, for her, symbolises a wealth of emotions and experiences. Nonetheless, her self-representation is not about self-love but rather a metaphorical exploration of identity. This also explains the androgyny of her subjects- it is often ambiguous whether a man, woman or child is portrayed, as the silhouettes are universal and live in all of us.
Sobocka's portrayal of the human figure goes beyond mere representation. It is a profound exploration of the human condition, emotions, and identity. Faces in her paintings often avoid direct confrontation with the viewer, creating an air of mystery and introspection. With the pool series, many faces are completely hidden. This approach invites viewers to engage more deeply with the subjects, encouraging them to contemplate the underlying emotions and stories of their lives.
NEW BEGINNINGS
Founded in 2023 by Felicia Gutmans and Balthazar Witzig, Gutmans Gallery sets itself apart through its ephemeral exhibitions and bold artistic programme. The exhibition Dosia Sobocka: Pools is the second of a series of pop-up shows in Geneva.
Gutmans Gallery warmly welcomes art enthusiasts and curious visitors of all backgrounds. By celebrating the work of Dosia Sobocka, the gallery invited visitors to plunge into the pools of the artist’s self-exploration and reflection. Immersing us in the waters depicted in the series, Sobocka’s study of water and the human body recalls the last of summer’s rays as we move into colder days.
