100 Painters of Tomorrow

Surprisingly, there has never been such a serious survey of young and promising painters as that done by "100 Painters of Tomorrow", which presents a thorough and careful selection out of 4300 applicants from 105 countries. Among the jurors of the project were artists, curators, critics, art historians and collectors. Substantial input was also provided by a meaningful number of international painting schools, which were able to recommend their prominent students, current or former, for the juror's panel consideration.

It is noteworthy that the book includes almost all genres, from abstract to group portrait. This was initially the idea of the book: without specifying a topic or theme, to show a variety of visions, as well as techniques. Each of the artists who presented their works revealed their attitudes toward the surrounding world, using only the medium of painting. Some work was imbued with life-affirming energy and clean lines, but others contained a challenge to society, traditions and cultural heritage, i.e., provocation.

Ewa Juszkiewicz, b. 1984, Gdansk, Poland     Lives and works in Warsaw, Poland     Cardinal, 2012, oil on canvas,     145 × 90 cm (57 × 353/8 in.)

The latter include the artwork of Ewa Juszkiewicz, whose portraits are executed in a classical style that challenges the viewer with the manner of face depiction, and that immediately brings the elements of the portrait into conflict with each other. 

Unusually bright and shocking is the work of Mark Nader, in which fictional, sometimes mythical, animals are placed in a domestic interior full of variegated patterns. Kate Gottgens’ work, in contrast, reminds one of vintage prints, delicate and slightly faded, as if they pop from old memories or deja vu, which makes you feel comfortable and nostalgic. The works of Lukasz Stoklosa are extremely gentle and sensual, with a baroque touch. The dominant dark colours and the artist’s manner add a somewhat decadent impression as well.

It is interesting to observe the influence of digital media in the work of young artists. Undoubtedly, one of the most striking examples is Andrew Sendor’s paintings, in which the pixel elements of the work look like a detail that is perfectly inscribed in the context of his work. Oliver Osborn shows, in his artwork, a disturbing combination of hyper-realistic still lifes with comic drawings, which forces the viewer to look for the key to unriddle the concealed meaning of his paintings.

Lukasz Stoklosa, b. 1986, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Poland Lives and works in Krakow, Poland
Sanssouci, 2012, oil on canvas, 40 × 50 cm (153/4 × 195/8 in.)

This publication is a reference book for curators and collectors, as well as a source of inspiration for artists and a wonderful selection for art lovers.

Book information:

100 Painters of Tomorrow
by Kurt Beers
Published by Thames & Hudson
Publication date 22 September 2014
Price: £35.00 hardback
www.thamesandhudson.com