Overview

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.

Works
  • Untitled 82
    Untitled 82, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
  • Untitled 81
    Untitled 81, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
  • Untitled 80
    Untitled 80, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
  • Untitled 79
    Untitled 79, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    180cm x 160cm (71" x 63")
  • Untitled 78
    Untitled 78, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    180cm x 160cm (71" x 63")
  • Untitled 77
    Untitled 77, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
  • Untitled 76
    Untitled 76, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
  • Untitled 75
    Untitled 75, 2022
    acrylic on canvas
    150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
  • Untitled 74
    Untitled 74
    acrylic on canvas
    150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
  • Untitled 72
    Untitled 72
    acrylic on canvas
    116cm x 81cm (46" x 32")
  • Untitled 71
    Untitled 71
    acrylic on canvas
    150cm x 120cm (59" x 47")
  • Untitled 70
    Untitled 70
    acrylic on canvas
    100cm x 80cm (39" x 31")
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Studio shots
Biography

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.