tenderness

The threshold between dreams and waking reality holds special significance in his practice. It is within these margins that he examines disparities related to identity, race, gender, sexuality, the global mental condition, tenderness, and freedom, attempting to imbue them with new meanings.

Working oil paint into this natural fabric with a brush demands deep focus. The weave can pull pigments in unexpected directions, a process tied to the material’s biological memory of absorbing moisture. Consequently, Pieniak’s paintings generate an optical illusion akin to the grain of an old photograph, evoking a profound sense of the fleeting nature of the moment. A constant throughout this series of paintings is a piercing tenderness, alongside the recurring motif of fabric that delineates the contours of human figures. The dense patterns of jacquard, the decorative folds of starched bedding, and the softness of velour often draw attention away from the bodies themselves—from their physical imperfections, their yearning for intimacy, and a love that reveals itself only when we are truly ready for acceptance.

In Pieniak’s work, tenderness is concealed under the cover of night—tucked away among walls, bed frames, mirrors, textiles, and flowers—out of a deep-seated fear of rejection and lack of acceptance. Regardless of the setting of these individual scenes, deep within them one can always discern another human being. They are accompanied by a profound sense of alienation and loneliness, yet also by a fundamental need for understanding and silence amidst the omnipresent chaos. Silence, ultimately, proves to be the most solitary of experiences, one that is exceedingly difficult to share. Pieniak manages to distill this silence within his intimate portraits, proving that it is the human “aura” that truly evokes emotion and serves as the essential starting point for perceiving the truth.