Tomasz Mro “Shades of Solitude”
Polish-English Artist Tomasz Mro Opened His Exhibition on Loneliness
On Saturday, February 2nd, Victoria Olt Gallery unveiled Polish-English artist Tomasz Mro’s new exhibition “Shades of Solitude,” which delves into various emotional states, ranging from anxiety and despair to freedom and strength. For this exhibition, Mro intentionally employed new techniques and mediums, placing himself outside his comfort zone to allow the creative process to flourish in unfamiliar territory.
This exhibition is a reflection of the profound connection between colors and emotions. Solitary figures find comfort in the symbiosis of rich colors and textures. Known for his mastery of watercolor and his delicate, detailed portraits, Tomasz Mro pushes the boundaries of his artistic abilities in this exhibition, demonstrating his skill and deepening his exploration of the artistic process.
At the heart of “Shades of Solitude” are watercolors that reflect the inherent loneliness of the creative process. For Mro, the paintings are like living entities, exuding the presence of solitude. Creating art is, for him, a way to investigate different mental states and the spectrum of emotions that exist within human beings. “I’ve experimented a lot with color combinations that I hadn’t used before, so this represents a significant progression in creating from a place of discomfort,” Mro said, sharing his insights on the new works.
While Mro primarily uses watercolor and digital processing tools, he also has a command of other techniques such as gouache, graphite, and ink. For the first time in this exhibition, he has introduced metallic paints and malleable clay into his work. Unlike his previous pieces, almost all of the watercolors in “Shades of Solitude” were created with more water, resulting in a greater sense of fluidity and movement in the new paintings.
Tomasz Mro’s work is heavily influenced by fashion illustration and graphic design, noted for his skillful and almost luminous use of color. His primary focus is on portraiture, exploring a wide range of emotions. “Shades of Solitude” marks Mro’s second exhibition in Estonia and at Victoria Olt Gallery.
Gallery owner Victoria Olt believes that Tomasz Mro represents a new generation of artists who have opted out of traditional art school and instead taught themselves, utilizing online resources. “He has already mastered more technical skills than some art school graduates, and considering his age and his dedication to art, I believe he has a long and successful career ahead of him,” Olt remarked.
The exhibition’s opening was accompanied by a performance titled “Green Threads,” by Japanese artist Wataru Yoshimoto, which explored themes of breakups and relationships with people who have entered, left, or stayed in our lives. The piece represented how the duration of human relationships in our lives is ultimately beyond our control.
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Wataru Yoshimoto specializes in creating conceptual art that reflects modern social phenomena and experiences shared by humanity. He uses a variety of mediums in his work. In January 2023, he launched his latest art project, BLOTTO, which further explores contemporary societal issues.
In “Shades of Solitude,” Tomasz Mro continues to push the boundaries of his craft, offering viewers a deeply emotional and visually rich exploration of solitude, using innovative techniques and new approaches to familiar themes.
Tomasz Mro
2023
watercolor on paper
45 x 60 cm
18 x 24 inches
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