Jan Dobkowski

Jan Dobkowski studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw in the years 1962–1968, majoring in painting, obtaining a diploma in the studio of Professor Jan Cybis. Already in the fourth year of his studies, he established a close friendship with Jerzy Zieliński, with whom he founded the Neo-Neo-Neo group during preparations for a joint exhibition, continuing their cooperation until 1970.

His artistic breakthrough was his participation in the exhibition at the Contemporary Gallery “Secession-Secession?” in Warsaw in 1968, which gave him the opportunity to present his works at the exhibition of Polish art in Paris under the title “Polish contemporary painting. Sources and explorations”. Another success was the purchase of the painting “The Double Girl” (1968) by the Guggenheim Museum in New York, which became a turning point in his career. A year later, Dobkowski created a series of similar works in which sharp red silhouettes of figures contrasted with a vivid green background, which became a characteristic motif in his work.

He took part in the Wrocław ’70 Art Symposium, working in Marian Bogusz’s team. Jan Dobkowski received a scholarship from the Kościuszko Foundation in New York in 1972, as well as awards such as the C. K. Norwid (1978) and the Jan Cybis for lifetime achievement (1994). In recognition of his contribution to the development of culture, the artist was honored with the title of honorary citizen of the City of Łomża from June 3, 1998.

In 2012, Jan Dobkowski was awarded the Silver Medal for Merit to Culture Gloria Artis, which confirms his significant contribution to Polish contemporary art.