Maciej Kość

LSS NYC

“Bliss Point”

2025 January 24 to March 9

Long Story Short Gallery is delighted to present Bliss Point, a solo exhibition by visionary artist Maciej Kość at at 52 Henry St, New York, NY, 10002. On view from January 24 through March 9, 2025, this evocative collection invites viewers to experience the magic, drama, and poignancy of Kość’s extraordinary vision, where beauty hovers on the edge of transformation and the natural world reveals its profound, untold stories.

Bliss Point showcases Kość’s unique ability to blend intricate storytelling with masterful technique, solidifying his place as one of the most exciting emerging artists of his generation. His paintings delve into “bliss points,” fleeting moments of fullness where longing for magic, the allure of opulence, and the drama of life’s most poignant experiences converge. Birds, with their vibrant alertness and relentless energy, serve as metaphors for the artist himself—forever in pursuit of beauty, crisis, and resolution. Pearls, symbols of divine tears and buried tragedy, anchor the narrative, their luminous beauty entwined with darkness.

At the heart of Kość’s practice is his ability to develop empathetic and spectacular animal portraits, imbued with rich individuality and emotional depth. Often, he focuses on animals burdened by reputations—whether negative or exaggeratedly positive—transforming them into complex, posthumanist subjects. His creatures convey a spectrum of emotions: some are timid and introspective, others intensely curious or rapturous, their expressions marked by regret, wistfulness, or even grief. Through these deeply nuanced depictions, Kość vindicates his subjects, inviting viewers to see their magic, beauty, and dignity.

The paintings in Bliss Point evoke the charm and wonder of unwritten fables, with imagery reminiscent of Aesop or Jean de La Fontaine. Birds are depicted in moments of tension, discovery, or aftermath—whether it’s a sparrowhawk unearthing amber in its prey’s chest or other species caught in dramatic encounters. These works balance enchantment with universal themes of vulnerability and triumph, offering a storybook quality that is uniquely Kość’s.

Kość employs a hybrid technique that oscillates between the smooth precision of airbrushed acrylics and the textured imperfections of hand-applied oil and dry pastels. This combination creates a striking interplay of surfaces, with the tactile richness of the pastels breaking the spell of airbrush perfectionism. The result is a painterly, precarious effect that heightens the emotional and visual complexity of his work.

Inspired by artists such as Walton Ford, Thomas Woodruff, and Martin Johnson Heade, Kość weaves intricate narratives into his maximalist compositions, creating sublime worlds where fables come to life. His light-infused, multi-hued creations render animals with velvet plumage and emotional gravitas, making each subject both ethereal and grounded.

Maciej Kość (b. 2001, Łódź, Poland) graduated from the Edinburgh College of Art in 2024 and is currently pursuing his MA at the Royal College of Art in London. His practice draws on a rich tapestry of influences, ranging from Baroque and Mannerist painting to postmodern maximalism and children’s book illustrations. He also finds inspiration in the sublime landscapes of the Hudson River School, the axiomatic beauty of the Pre-Raphaelites, and the lifelike bird studies of John James Audubon.