Tycjan Knut creates subtle abstractions. Using delicate tonal differences and neutral colours, his works have an effect that verges on optical illusion. His compositions require time and thought. What meets the eye at a glance may not be all it seems after a closer inspection. Knut’s paintings unfold slowly, with multiple anchor points drawing the viewer’s eye across the painting and creating a sense of balance. By building up overlapping layers of colour in a way that resembles the organic world, he creates images that trick the eye into perceiving new depth in already highly structural objects. Without using sketches or plans, Knut’s practice is reactive. The artist carefully follows the formation of the composition, examining the function of each element in relation to the painting as a whole throughout.
"In painting I try to completely rely on intuition, because it in its essence seems to me to be the purest. To cultivate this feature in my works, I give up the preparations."
Knut’s work takes inspiration from the geometric abstract art of the twentieth century with a deep academic interest in unknown abstract ‘masters’. His work resonates with the echo of this tradition but extends beyond the trend, his works freed from the constraints of formula.
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Chroma cut 3, 2023Acrylic on linen80cm x 60cm (31" x 24")
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Chroma cut 5, 2023Acrylic on linen80cm x 60cm (31" x 24")
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Chroma cut 1, 2023Acrylic on linen80cm x 60cm (31" x 24")
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Chroma cut 4, 2023Acrylic on linen80cm x 60cm (31" x 24")
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Untitled 87, 2023acrylic on canvas150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
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Untitled 86, 2023acrylic relief120cm x 100cm (47" x 39")
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Untitled 85, 2022acrylic on canvas150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
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Untitled 84, 2022acrylic on canvas150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
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Untitled 83, 2022acrylic on canvas180cm x 160cm (71" x 63")
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Untitled 82, 2022acrylic on canvas150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
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Untitled 81, 2022acrylic on canvas150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
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Untitled 80, 2022acrylic on canvas150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
Tycjan Knut was born in 1985 in Warsaw and now lives and works in London. Knut received his PhD in Fine Art and Painting from the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts in 2011. His work has been exhibited across Europe and is held in private collections across the world. Cadogan has represented Tycjan Knut since 2019.
Education
Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts, Poland.
Jan Kochanowski University Institute of Fine Arts in Kielce, Poland.
Selected solo Exhibitons
2024 | 'Tycjan Knut', Simchowitz Gallery, Los Angeles, USA. | |
2023 | 'Chroma Cut', Cadogan Gallery, London, UK. | |
'NO-SPACE', Contemporary Cluster, Rome, Italy. | ||
2022 | 'Horror Vacui', Numeroventi , Florence, Italy. | |
2021 | 'Light Matters', Cadogan Gallery, London. | |
2016 | 'More-Less', Contemporary Art Centre Gallery El, Elblag, Poland. | |
2014 | 'Old School', Project Rooms at Contemporary Art Centre CSW, Warsaw, Poland. | |
2011 | 'Tycjan Knut - Paintings', Soho Factory, Warsaw, Poland. |
selected group exhibitions
2023 | 'Through The Walls', Cadogan Gallery, London, UK. | |
2022 | 'Worlds' BWA contemporary art centre as a part of Zbiorowy Collective Wroclaw, Poland. | |
2020 | 'Invisible Subjects', Cadogan Gallery, London, UK. | |
2019 | '3 Anni', Numeroventi, Florence, Italy. | |
2018 | 'In the Neighbourhood', House of Grey, London, UK. | |
'Emerging Hermit', The Workshop, London, UK. | ||
2015 | 'Pure Formality', Contemporary Art Centre Labyrinth Gallery, Lublin, Poland. |
Collections
PKO Bank
Contemporary Art Centre El
Private Collections in UK, USA, Switzerland, Dubai, Monaco, China, Poland, Italy, Japan, France, Germany, Mexico.