Art by CJ Szatkowski: National Art Exhibit (USA)

Artist Portfolio Magazine

National Art Exhibit

CJ Szatkowski

My artwork is an exploration of the idea of masculinity, specifically my own masculinity. I choose figures that explore an idea of a “feminized masculinity” by breaking down the traditional way that the male figure is represented. The image I am most interested in is a man whose masculine figure is juxtaposed with a pair of high heels, makeup, a corset, or any other element that is generally represented as being feminine. I refer to this as gender-blending. But in all my work the masculinity of the figure shines through.

My current series that is a work in progress draws inspiration from classical Greco-Roman sculpture, their aesthetic of idealization in the male form, and making connections to my own idealized masculine identity of self. The model combines the classical male idealism of ancient sculpture with high heels which represent an ideal image women.

I am inspired by mid-20th century abstract color field artists, such as Clyfford Still and Mark Rothko and their attitudes of “the machismo” as it applied to their masculine identity as artists. I apply ink to the surface of the canvas in the stain painting techniques of Morris Louis and Helen Frankenthaler, independent of any preconceived order or composition. The only planned elements are the colors. In a way the large fields of color are self-portraits. I also have a large interest in artists who create fetishistic images of women like photographers Man Ray, Helmut Newton, and Horst P. Horst, comic artists John Willie and Eric Stanton, and painter Allen Jones. My large interest in Art History has led me to study the theories behind Modernism and Postmodernism. It is my personal opinion that Postmodern Art has reached its limits since the 1960’s and beginning to wane out of favor. My art reflects my ideas of where the art world is going. My artwork completely rejects Post-modern ideas, looking inward towards myself instead of looking towards the world around me and rejecting the current trend of art influenced by political, economic, and social commentary. My art is anti-cynical and is art about art and the artist.