What you love is not always easy

Candid talk with painter Tadeusz Zielinski

He is one of a kind person from a world of art. Icon critics call him an aristocrat amongst the icon painters. He is also recognized for creating lots of galleries in Świnoujście for example Gallery of the mariners and sea people. He is also a real culture man. He established theaters and theatrical reviews. He has lots of exhibitions for example in Holland, Germany and Sweden. He is the only person in Poland that has the permission of the greek orthodox church to paint icons. In Świnoujście we can see his paintings in the church on Torunska street and the Stella Maris church. He liveas and creates his art in Świnoujście.

ŚD: How do you explain icons to a common person?

Tadeusz Zielinski: Icons do not have the depth of a realistic painting. That is because they have their own set of rules. They have the aura of light and warmth that comes from their contents. People say that you don’t paint icons, but write them. It is somewhat like a bible in pictures (originally created for people that could not read). What was the most amazing thing that amazed me first time I saw an icon was it’s a painting of a different sort of contents. Icons have a lot in common with abstract paintings. They bot use figures and spots but icons are cosmic, unearthly, more godly.

ŚD: don’t you feel like everything passes. Looking at the walls of these forts you can feel the work of several generations of men. However, all this work now is in ruins. Don’t you feel like its all worthless sign of conceit?

Tadeusz Zielinski: I’m sure that eveyrbody has such feelings especially in later years. I feel more of in spirit with the builders.

ŚD: soldiers, military men...

TZ: You see, god wanted it this way. These walls were created to defend them. They were supposed to serve war but not even one shot was fired here. Most important is their function today which is art and culture. It’s a paradox but a fun one.

ŚD: Do you think that living in Świnoujście is important to you?

TZ: Well I lived in many places in Poland. I lived in Wrocław, Poznań, Warsaw, but I think Świnoujście is my last harbour. I just cannot imagine a different town. Świnoujście has a specific climate, sea air is different than anywhere else. I’ve grown roots here and I would like to spend the rest of my days here. People in Świnoujście are more demanding. There is no tradition here like there is in Cracow. Świnoujście is just a group of people thrown together from all over the place. Lots of people came here to start over. They have different goals in life, and are more focused on their targets. It is not an easy place to live, but that doesn’t mean it is not fun. What you love is not always easy.

Wywiad Interview conducted by Marek Skrzyński
Nr 13, 27 September 2002