Armchair

The green armchair was bought around the time of the pandemic on Daszyńskiego Street in Wrocław, near the Ludzi ze Znakiem “P” park. I helped carry the furniture set that day.

Later, the armchair travelled between the homes of Wrocław artists. It changed addresses and company until it was stored in an old tenement at the far end of Prusa Street — once again close to the same park.

Its original owners moved to the Italian countryside, looking for peace by a mountain lake. Prusa Street became another address in the armchair’s journey.

The painting depicts my muse. Amsterdam is also part of this portrait’s story: our stays together and the hours spent wandering its streets. I made photographic series there too — another record of the time we shared.

I also remember an extraordinarily intense New Year’s Eve. A church burned down near where we were staying. It is one of those memories of Amsterdam that has stayed with me especially strongly.

Our time together would end when we had to return to work. There were departures, reunions and goodbyes scheduled around our commitments. Closeness gave way to distance, leaving memories and photographs after each return.

I finished the portrait after she had left for the Netherlands. I painted out of longing, returning to her presence in a familiar interior.