Tomasz Stando

Born in Warsaw, Poland in 1953. Graduated from Painting Department of Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw in 1981. Awarded a grant by The Pollock-Krassner Foundation, New York. Since 1984 Stando's works has been shown at numerous solo and group exhibitions in Poland as well as in Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Holland and Great Britain. His works are to be found in many public collections, in the collection of National Museum in Warsaw and The Pollock-Krassner Foundation. I am living and working in London since 2006.

To me, an artist is like a contemporary alchemist. An artist just like an alchemist is looking for a recipe to create Rebis - philosophers' stone. He wants to create a work of art. Rebis, like an art piece, is an idea which both are trying to produce. In my understanding, this is a beautiful and fulfilled life which is the effect of these struggles. I consider myself to be an alchemist artist, one who is in search for truth about himself. I am using similar painting tools and techniques as medieval craftsmen, using wood as a surface and golden leaves, and adding more modern oil colours. I believe that this way of painting is most adequate to what I want to express.