He works and resides, with his family, in a rural enclave of his native Poland. Born in Poland in 1952, Jacek Yerka studied fine art and graphics prior to becoming a full-time artist in 1980.  While at university, Yerka resisted the constant pressures of his instructors to adopt the less detailed, less realistic techniques that characterize so much of contemporary art.

Instead, he stubbornly continued to work in the classic, meticulous Flemish style he still favors to this day.  In the end, it was his teachers who eventually relented, finally recognizing their determined student as a brilliant (although troubling) talent.

 

The pastoral atmosphere of the Polish countryside provides a solid, mimetic foundation for much of Yerka’s art.  However, it is his own uniquely evocative dreams that guide the complex, often arcane imagery of his work.

One need only glance at the luminous surfaces of Yerka’s canvases to perceive his adoration of, resonance with, the master painters of the 15th and 16th centuries, key factors in the development of this surrealist Cagliostro. Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Bruegel, Hugo van der Goes and Jan van Eyck were powerful, early influences.

Jacek's paintings are full of symbolism

Basing on precise painting techniques, taking pattern from former masters like Jan van Eyck or Hieronymus Bosch but mainly on his unlimited imagination he creates surrealistic compositions, particularly admired by enthusiasts of sci-fi in all varieties.

Yerka inspired the fantasy writer Harlon Ellison to write 30 short stories which along with Yerka pictures constituted the publication entitled “Mind Fields”.
The same American publisher “Morpheus International” released the album “The Fantastic Art of Jacek Yerka”.

In 1995 the artist was awarded the prestigious World Fantasy Award for the best artist. He exhibits in Poland and abroad (in Germany, France and USA among others), being an esteemed representative of the science fiction stream of art. His paintings have recently inspired film makers.

This is the famous apple tree below which the Artist works in warm weather. The tree is supposed to be very old and mysterious, as it was at its place far away before the Artist has come. The apple tree blossom scent is very inspiring, as Jacek says…