Icon - means painting
Sound of bells, darkness, smell of incence, background music and a light shining on an icon of Saint Mary. If it wasn’t for glasses of cognac in the hands of people you could think you were in an orthodox church.
Icons painted by Tadeusz Zielinski left a big impression on everyone. Tadeusz Zielinski a painter was born in Cracow and lives now for many years in Świnoujście. He was the first man to create a gallery to show works of art of the fisheremen and mariners. He himself says:
"I try to live of art and sometimes I even manage to do it. I am an advocate of versatility. As a result during my whole life as an artis I tried different forms of painting, different forms of sculpruting, medal engraving and others. But I always came back to icon painting. I am fascinated by its one of a kind secret climate. Its ancient roots and (everything next to its technological contents creates a simply modern abstract form) that has to do with icon painting.
Opening his own exhibition in MDK in Świnoujście he has said: We have met here for the first time two and a half years ago. Its not a long time by human standards , however at the same time lots has happened since. Over 40 exhibitions have happened since, each one an opportunity to meet interesting people. I have thought about the joys of attending a show like that and decided to have my own exhibit."
Exhibition in MDK was earlier shown in Holland. After that exhibition he has received an offer to sell all of the icons. But before he does so, you can see them in Szczecin and Poznan.
Tadeusz Zielinski thanked everybody for showing up and wished for his followers to experience professionalism of the staff at the MDK. Many people have showed up at the exhibition. There were the artists from all over, other people of art, local politicians and people who wanted to enjoy art.

- How long did it take for the exhibition to take place?
- All my life. Its not like you just up and decide to have an exhibition. Ever since I have started being involved with art my exhibition has started to grow on me. Most of the icons in the exhibition are copies of icons I have previously painted and somehow lost. I just wanted to show what I have done, what I do now and what I would like to do in the future.
- Did you manage to achieve that?
- Unfortunately not. I understand now that I still need half a year. In half a year’s time I would still say I need more time. I keep looking for more things in my art. My exhibit would not happen if I kept thinking like this.
- Why icons? Is it because you are interested in the eastern cultures?
- Orthodox believe that people of other faiths should not paint icons. I am not an orthodox but my icons have been accepted by them. In march of this year I’ve been invited to present my icons in an orthodox church in Atos, Germany. I don’t know why I paint icons. According to the orthodox its not the painted that paints but God. I tend to agree with this statement. It is not just the knowledge of technique that allows one to create icons. I've learned that many times trying to paint one really quickly "off hand". I did paint them, but it was easy to see that they lacked something. To paint a really good icon you have to live though it and give something of you in the process. Besides the process of painting icons has a lot in common with abstract paintings.
- What will the fall exhibition look like?
- I plan to paint all the people that have left a mark on my life. Paint all my friends.
- Do you have an art goal? Do you plan to have your works shown in big, renown museums?
- I don't have ambitions like that anymore. I just try to give joy to the people that come to my shows and buy my works.
- Is there anything a person watching an icon exhibit should know?
- Absolutly nothing. An icon is just "word of God" painted on wood so the simple people see it and understand it.
- Thanks for the interview.