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SA01122020 Cereals or first snow (from an art series: SA)

2020, levkas, ink, shellac, intarsia, relief on wood board, kowczeg, waxing, 82 x 47 x 3,5 cm (ID: 3665)

Not available

SA (Sacral Abstraction) - an open-ended series of artworks by Krzysztof Sokolovski, covering different types of neo-sacral objects. The titles of the artworks in this series include the dates of their creation.

Intarsia is a form of wood inlaying that is similar to marquetry. The start of the practice dates from before the seventh century AD. The technique of intarsia inlays sections of wood (at times with contrasting ivory or bone, or mother-of-pearl) within the solid wood matrix of floors and walls or of table tops and other furniture; by contrast marquetry assembles a pattern out of veneers glued upon the carcass. The word intarsia may derive from the Latin word interserere (to insert). Intarsia uses varied shapes, sizes, and species of wood fitted together to create a mosaic-like picture with an illusion of depth. Intarsia is created through the selection of different types of wood, using their grain pattern and coloring to create variations in the pattern. After selecting the specific woods for the pattern, the woodworker cuts, shapes, and finishes each piece. Some areas of the pattern may be raised to create more depth.

Kowczeg - a shallow depression in the centre of the front side of a board. In the Church Slavonic language the word kowczeg means an ark and refers to the Ark of the Covenant. This is supposed to indicate the sacred character of the painting itself as a kind of relic. In kowczeg placed the main image, and at the edge of the board, called the field of the icon - small scenes and figures of saints (klejma) or inscriptions. Often the field remains empty, or part of the image enters it from kowczeg (eg halo). A small curve between the field of the icon and kowczeg, is called łuzga.

Levkas (gesso) - (from the Greek word leukos, meaning white), a glue and chalk primer used in panel painting and gilding. It is applied hot on the icon, usually in about twelve layers. One layer for one day. The prayer of the ritual then directs its attention to the Apostles (one for each layer). It recalls their deeds and asks for intercession.

Shellac - a variety of natural resin, extracted from the secretion of insects (Kerria lacca) called Juneflies (from the red colour), which live in India and Thailand on trees, popularly known as shellac trees. Depending on the type of tree, shellac ranges in colour from yellow to reddish-brown. In India, this resin has been used since ancient times as a dye for colouring clothes. Since the 16th century, it has been a valued furniture finisher, as well as an ingredient in varnish, lacquer and violin varnish. Natural shellac, despite the widespread use of synthetic resins, is irreplaceable in many fields: food industry, pharmaceutical industry, production of paints and varnishes, ink, restoration of historical objects.