Ruth Poniarski’s art defies expectations, blending surrealism with a deeply personal touch. Originally trained as an architect, she earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute and spent a decade immersed in the construction industry. In 1988, her creative instincts led her to pivot toward painting, a medium that offered her a fresh way to channel her ideas and emotions. This shift opened a new chapter in her life, marked by imaginative works inspired by mythology, culture, philosophy, and literature.
Poniarski’s unique approach combines visual and literary expression. Starting in 1995, she began writing poems to complement her paintings, creating a dynamic interplay between the two forms. Each pairing invites viewers to explore layered narratives and delve deeper into the meanings within her art. Her work serves as a gateway to introspection, where vivid imagery and evocative language intertwine to reveal a world of mystery and discovery.
Exploring the Artworks
“Reflections”
In Reflections, Poniarski presents a woman standing against a backdrop split between celestial wonder and earthly fluidity. The subject, dressed in a vivid red swimsuit, washes her hair as if suspended between two worlds. The dark blue background enhances the contrast, with the upper half depicting a starry night and the lower portion resembling a flowing river. This clever interplay of elements creates a dynamic atmosphere.
The water dripping from the woman’s hair transitions into fragmented, destroyed housing—a poignant metaphor for fragility and transformation. The red swimsuit, vibrant and unyielding, draws the eye immediately, anchoring the viewer amid the ever-changing landscape. The surreal elements, like the housing at the tips of her hair, suggest a narrative about the intersection of personal care and the weight of societal collapse. Poniarski’s choice of colors, textures, and composition captures both serenity and tension, compelling the viewer to reflect on interconnectedness.
“Adam’s Ribs, The First Supper”
This painting, measuring 40″x60″, delves into biblical themes with a contemporary twist. Here, Poniarski imagines the clones of Eve, born from Adam’s rib, gathered around a table in an otherworldly tableau. At the center stands a child—Adam—holding the forbidden fruit, now replicated and consumed. The painting examines the moment when knowledge transcends the confines of Eden, offering humanity a glimpse of existence beyond its origins.
The scene is set under a harvest moon, the warm hues of the moonlight blending with surreal tones that melt the boundaries of reality. Poniarski portrays a wilderness both physical and symbolic, where these characters ponder their place in the universe. The barriers between the known and the enigmatic dissolve, leaving the viewer to consider the tension between innocence and awareness. This narrative unfolds like a visual chronicle, ripe with layers of history, myth, and personal interpretation.
The composition is alive with contrasts—light and shadow, clarity and distortion—drawing viewers into a space where questions take precedence over answers. Poniarski’s poetic approach to storytelling, combined with her architectural background, lends the piece a structured yet fluid quality, where every detail has a purpose.
Final Thoughts
Ruth Poniarski’s art challenges and invites introspection. Whether through the surreal landscapes of Reflections or the layered narratives of Adam’s Ribs, The First Supper, her work prompts viewers to pause and ponder. She merges philosophy, and personal experience, creating a body of work that feels timeless and deeply personal. In her hands, each canvas becomes a dialogue between the visible and the hidden, the known and the unknown. Through her unique blend of painting and poetry, Poniarski encourages us to look closer—not just at her art, but at the stories within ourselves.
