Kopania
Zbigniew Kopania was born in Poland. Having graduated from secondary schools in 1969, he became a student at the state theatrical, television, and film college, the Faculty of Camera-Works. Included among its distinguished alumni is Roman Polanski. Together with film and photographic activities, he cultivated paintings in the department of Art.
While still a student at the Polish Film Academy, Kopania’s painting talent was discovered by his Professor. The early stage of his painting was under the guidance of Dr. K. Zwolinska and J. Mierzejewski, a renowned painter in Poland and abroad. After graduating in 1974, Kopania began work as a cameraman, making both documentaries and feature films. He did not neglect his painting, however; when interest in his oil paintings began to grow, he abandoned his work in film and devoted himself entirely to painting. Then came his first joint and individual exhibitions in Poland. Kopania’s first voyages abroad began in 1979.
He was fascinated and influenced by Dutch and Flemish paintings from the Renaissance period. Their precision of detail and craftsmanship was, he felt, a challenge for him to match. His earlier paintings were stylizations of Dutch masters, not only in subject matter but also in composition and atmosphere. His work is equal in precision and palette. Through time, his paintings have given way to a brighter and happier mood as well as an intensified realism in color, leaving behind the often darker tones of 18th century Dutch painting.
Over the course of nine years, Kopania frequently visited Holland where many of his paintings were created. In search of his own style he is breaking away from dark, solemn tones of Dutch Masters and is now using a much lighter pastel palette.
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​He established connections with galleries in Frankfurt, and held shows in London and Amsterdam. Many of his works are owned by private collectors in many European countries as well as the United States, Canada, Africa, and Australia.