The streets of New York City and the marshes of Beaufort couldn't be further apart. But Sebastian Polanski's exhibit brings the chaos and the calm together.
"VISTA" is now on display through March 30 at the Beaufort Art Association. Polanski was born in Poland, graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design and settled in Beaufort at an architectural firm.
The artist discusses his diverse influences.
Question. What's your background in art?
Answer. I've been painting all my life. I went to school for architecture. I now have my own firm, InHaus Studio in Beaufort. To relax, I paint. Not necessarily this type of medium (oil and synthetic polymer paint). I had been doing a lot of air brushing. It's a very controlled medium. It went along with architecture and my mindset of structure. Now I'm trying to be a lot more fluid.
Q. What was the inspiration for this exhibit?
A. Because of my work, I travel a lot, places like New York. Beaufort is very serene and calm. Some of my pieces are just still shots, basically, of the docks and boats. You can go out there all day and paint and nothing will change. .. Sometimes there's those storms that come to Beaufort. You look on the Broad River and on one side it's heavenly and on the other side it looks like hell is coming. I really like that. Then there's the ever-changing scenery of New York. The buildings stay the same, but there's constant change.
Q. Where are you from originally?
A. Poland. My family used to travel a lot for business. We spent three years in Germany before coming to the United States. We came to Connecticut. I went to school at SCAD. And for the past six years, I've been in Beaufort.
Q. What's next for you art-wise?
A. I'm still trying to find myself and my style. I don't think I'll ever stay stagnant. I spend a lot of time in New York, and I'm really inspired by that. It's a bit of a rush.
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