Ruth Poniarski is an artist weaving a surreal tapestry that transcends conventional boundaries. With a background rooted in architecture, Poniarski’s artistic journey unfurled in the late 1980s, blossoming into a vivid exploration of painting. Armed with a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute, Poniarski embarked on a decade-long odyssey in the construction field before her creative spirit beckoned her towards a new horizon. In 1988, she pivoted toward painting, embracing a medium that not only challenged her artistic faculties but also served as a profound conduit for self-expression. This pivotal shift marked the genesis of her enchanting oeuvre, characterized by a mélange of surreal imagery and poignant themes drawn from myths, cultures, philosophies, and literature.
Central to Poniarski’s artistic vision is her unwavering commitment to amalgamating visual and literary art forms. In 1995, she embarked on a transformative journey, crafting poems that mirrored the essence of each painting—a harmonious fusion that transports viewers deeper into her realm of interpretation. Through this symbiotic relationship between painting and poetry, Poniarski invites viewers to embark on an introspective voyage, where each brushstroke and stanza serves as a portal to a world brimming with enigma and allure.
Poniarski’s work delves deeply into the surreal, and this exploration is evident in three of her paintings: Rousseau’s World, Moonshadow, and Second Wave. These pieces exhibit a distinctive connection between the natural world and an inner sense of reflection, wrapped in poetic narrative.
In Rousseau’s World (acrylic on canvas, 40″ x 42″), Poniarski crafts an intimate dialogue between herself and the animal kingdom. A lion, typically seen as a symbol of power and dominance, is portrayed in a quiet, reflective moment beside a river. The painting captures the calm before action, a serene stillness where human and beast coexist, bound by curiosity rather than fear. Poniarski draws the viewer into this tranquil moment, where the lines between man and nature blur. The lion’s reflection becomes symbolic of the interplay between reality and perception, while the flowing river represents the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The themes of curiosity, diplomacy, and silence echo throughout the piece, with the river acting as a metaphor for life’s continuous movement and transformation.
The accompanying poem further enhances the experience, emphasizing the reflective nature of the river and the duality of stillness and movement in life. The reference to diplomacy in the silence of the wood suggests a mutual understanding between human and animal, where no force or violence is needed, only quiet contemplation. In this sense, Poniarski invites the audience to consider their own place within the world and their relationship to nature and time.
In Moonshadow (acrylic on canvas, 36″ x 42″), Poniarski continues her exploration of reflection, this time under the soft glow of the moon. The painting presents a horse pausing to gaze at its own reflection in the water, much like how the lion in Rousseau’s World confronts its own likeness. The setting here is less about the dominance of nature and more about personal introspection. The moon’s light casts shadows, playing with the concepts of clarity and mystery. The seasons burgeon, and the horse, like the viewer, is left to contemplate the passing of time and the inevitability of growth.
The poem connected to Moonshadow adds layers of meaning, referencing Taurus, the bull, known for its grounded nature, and the effusion of water that symbolizes renewal and life. The moss attaching itself to a tree represents growth through time, while the horse’s reflection emphasizes the recurring theme of self-examination. It’s an invitation to pause, much like the horse, and reflect on one’s own path amidst the cycles of nature and life.
Second Wave (acrylic on canvas, 36″ x 42″) shifts focus slightly from reflection to movement. The painting depicts a creature on the beach, witnessing the remnants of a wave. This scene captures the transient nature of existence—the wave, like life, leaves its mark on the sand, only to be washed away by another wave. The creature’s gaze and the remnants of the first wave suggest a meditative understanding of time’s fleeting nature and the cyclical process of renewal.
Poniarski’s accompanying poem adds to this understanding, describing the wave as a force of nature, replenishing what was left behind. The second wave symbolizes the next chapter, carrying with it both memory and potential. The imagery of “dormant in the death of past resurgence” speaks to the themes of rebirth and the continual cycle of life’s highs and lows. The creature, much like the viewer, is left to ponder what is left behind and what comes next.
Each of these works demonstrates Poniarski’s skillful blending of surrealist painting with poetic narrative, drawing the viewer into a world that exists on the edge of dream and reality. Her art serves not only as visual experiences but also as introspective journeys, asking the viewer to pause, reflect, and perhaps find a deeper connection to their surroundings and themselves. Through her unique fusion of painting and poetry, Poniarski offers a contemplative and serene space for exploration.
