A Lifelong Ardour Born in a Darkroom
Arek, born Arkadiusz Gepchard in 1968 in Poland, found his ardour for pictures at an early age. Now primarily based in France, he stays devoted to his craft, constantly pushing artistic boundaries. His journey started in 1980, a time when each {photograph} demanded precision and endurance. With solely 36 frames per roll of movie, every shot needed to be fastidiously thought of. Missing entry to knowledgeable studio, he remodeled his household’s rest room right into a makeshift darkroom, creating prints within the bathtub whereas his family slept. The method was removed from straightforward, however it taught him self-discipline and an appreciation for element—values he nonetheless upholds at this time, even within the digital period.
In contrast to many up to date photographers who depend on immediate outcomes, Arek stays deeply dedicated to preparation. Conceptualizing a shoot can take days and even weeks, as he meticulously constructs his personal props from repurposed supplies. His most time-intensive venture was a reimagining of Darth Vader, the place he constructed the enduring masks and chest plate from scratch utilizing cardboard, electrical connectors, and discarded cables. The ultimate picture was not only a {photograph} however a testomony to his dedication to craftsmanship and imaginative and prescient.
Regardless of embracing numerous technological developments, Arek continues to stick to the ideas of movie pictures. His perception in respecting the method and specializing in particulars shapes his work, guaranteeing that every picture he creates carries intentionality and depth. Whether or not working with bodily props or digital enhancements, his philosophy stays unchanged: an excellent {photograph} isn’t about amount however about reaching a singular, impactful shot.
Arek: A Stressed Spirit within the World of Pictures
All through his profession, Arek has explored many genres of pictures—household portraits, landscapes, business initiatives, weddings, and journal editorials. Nevertheless, over time, he discovered himself drawn to a extra private and imaginative type of expression. The turning level got here in 1999 when his first exhibition was held on the Gaude Mater Sacred Music Pageant in Częstochowa, Poland. From that second on, he determined to concentrate on pictures that mirrored his personal creative voice fairly than catering to exterior expectations. His resolution paid off, main him to take part in 44 exhibitions and competitions throughout Europe and the US.
He describes himself as having a “stressed soul,” at all times trying to find new methods to problem his creativity. This fixed evolution has led him to develop a singular fashion that blends humor with surrealism. If a picture makes even one viewer smile, he considers it successful. Nevertheless, his creative vary isn’t confined to comedy alone. His “Fingers” venture explores minimalism, presenting human feelings and existence by means of stark simplicity. This duality—balancing lightheartedness with introspective themes—defines a lot of his work.
Journey is one other vital theme in Arek’s pictures, however he approaches it with an unconventional twist. As an alternative of conventional journey pictures, he infuses a way of caprice into his photographs. This idea gave delivery to his “Gulliver’s Travels” venture, the place he playfully reimagines himself in numerous areas, including a component of fantasy to real-world settings. Whether or not exploring humor, minimalism, or journey, Arek’s work at all times carries a definite private imprint, reflecting his ever-curious thoughts.
The Studio as a Stage for Visible Storytelling
In recent times, Arek has primarily targeted on studio pictures, working inside a compact area measuring simply 2.80m by 2.50m. Moderately than seeing this limitation as a disadvantage, he embraces it, fastidiously crafting ideas that align with the out there room and gear. Inside these partitions, he experiments with lighting, props, and theatrical make-up to convey his imaginative concepts to life. His desire for sturdy contrasts permits him to intensify each the comedic and dramatic components of his topics, remodeling unusual portraits into hanging visible narratives.
His strategy to character creation is especially immersive. When making ready for a self-portrait collection, he typically undergoes bodily transformations to embody completely different personas. For a Wolverine-inspired shoot, he grew his sideburns for 2 weeks, dyed his hair, and, as soon as the session was full, shaved his head to instantly create one other character for a separate venture titled “Gulag.” This willingness to totally decide to an thought highlights his dedication to storytelling by means of pictures.
Arek’s meticulous nature extends to each side of his shoots. He at all times has a transparent aim in thoughts, guaranteeing that he stays targeted even when confronted with challenges. If an impediment arises, he finds a method round it, whether or not by adjusting the lighting, altering the composition, or rethinking a prop. His latest research in theatrical make-up have additional expanded his artistic arsenal, permitting him to reinforce the expressive energy of his portraits. By mixing pictures, costume design, and stagecraft, he turns his studio right into a theater the place every picture tells a compelling story.
Arek: A Photographer With out Boundaries
In contrast to many artists who cite particular influences, Arek considers himself an individualist, firmly dedicated to creating his personal fashion. Whereas he acknowledges the influence of surrealist painters, notably Salvador Dalí, he approaches their work as inspiration fairly than direct steering. His {photograph} “Pancakes,” a playful homage to Dalí’s The Persistence of Reminiscence, showcases this stability—paying tribute to the enduring melting clocks whereas injecting his personal model of humor. Equally, his reinterpretation of Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp, during which he performed all 9 characters himself, merges traditional artistry with comedic absurdity.
Amongst his most significant works is Journey to Japan, a venture that required immense endurance. He envisioned the shot for months, ready for the cherry tree outdoors his window to bloom on the good second. As soon as the situations aligned, he captured the picture, presenting his interpretation of Japan by means of a single, fastidiously composed body. This dedication to timing and composition underscores his perception that pictures is as a lot about anticipation as it’s about execution.
Arek’s artistic course of is unpredictable—some days, concepts flood his thoughts, whereas different occasions, inspiration eludes him. Presently, he’s creating three main initiatives: Sam na Sam (One-on-One), a self-portrait collection the place he morphs into numerous characters; Dłonie (Fingers), a minimalistic exploration of human habits; and Gulliver’s Travels, a humorous tackle his adventures. He has additionally ventured into filmmaking, producing quick movies that oscillate between comedy and deep philosophical themes. Whatever the medium, his creative philosophy stays unchanged: embrace the unconventional, problem expectations, and above all, by no means cease creating.
