Art Theory

Stanisław Szukalski



DistantMirrors

Stanisław Szukalski (1893–1987) was a Polish-born painter and sculptor. He also developed the pseudoscientific-historical theory of Zermatism, positing that all human culture was derived from post-deluge Easter Island and that mankind was locked in an eternal struggle with the Sons of Yeti (“Yetinsyny”), the offspring of Yeti and humans. He illustrated this theory in his works.

Szukalski immigrated to the United States in his teens, where he joined the arts scene in Chicago. Ben Hecht, who knew Szukalski in the 1920s, described him in his 1954 autobiography A Child of the Century as starving, muscular, aristocratic and disdainful of lesser beings than himself—traits Szukalski retained for the rest of his life. In 1929 was a founder of an artistic movement called Tribe of the Horned Heart (Szczep Rogate Serce) – centered on Polish artists who sought inspiration in the pagan or pre-Christian history of Poland. Szukalski returned to Poland in 1934, when the government proclaimed him their “Greatest Living Artist” and built the Szukalski National Museum to house his works. In 1939, the Nazi Siege of Warsaw resulted in the destruction of the museum and his life’s work. Szukalski moved to Southern California, where he languished in obscurity, supporting himself by drawing maps for an aerospace company.

In 1971, Glenn Bray, a publisher who had previously specialized in the work of Mad Magazine artist Basil Wolverton, befriended him and later published one book of Szukalski’s art, Inner Portraits (1980), and another of his art and philosophy, A Trough Full of Pearls / Behold! The Protong (1982). Bray and his wife Lena Zwalve maintain Szukalski’s estate and the great bulk of his existing art under the name “Archives Szukalski.”

Zermatism, Szukalski’s concept of world history, postulated that all human culture derived from post-deluge Easter Island and that in all human languages one can find traces of the original, ancient mother-tongue of mankind. In his view, humanity was locked in an eternal struggle with the Sons of Yeti (“Yetinsyny”), the offspring of Yeti and humans, who had enslaved humanity from time immemorial. Szukalski used his considerable artistic talents to illustrate his theories, which, despite their lack of scientific merit, have gained a cult following largely on their aesthetic value. The irony of this would have likely infuriated the hyper-curmudgeonly Szukalski. Among Szukalski’s admirers are Leonardo DiCaprio, who sponsored a retrospective exhibition entitled “Struggle” at the Laguna Art Museum in 2000, the Church of the SubGenius, which incorporates the Yetinsyny elements of Zermatism, and the band Tool, who recommended “any collection of works you can find by this man is well worth the effort”.

Szukalski’s works are on permanent display at the Polish Museum of America in Chicago, as well as at the Polish National Museum in Warsaw. In addition to the Laguna retrospective, notable exhibitions of his work include “The Self-Born” at Varnish Fine Art, San Francisco, in 2005 and “Mantong and Protong,” where Szukalski is paired with another unorthodox theorist of earth history, Richard Sharpe Shaver, at Pasadena City College in 2009.

Following Szukalski’s death in 1987, a group of his admirers spread his ashes on Easter Island, in the rock quarry of Rano Raraku.
[from Wikipedia]

Music by Thomas Newman

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27 thoughts on “Stanisław Szukalski
  1. "I am a patriot without a country." – Szukalski

    Dear Mr. Szukalski, though the artist made you mighty, you are a citizen, a patriot of the verse. And that sir, makes you shiny.

    Careful as we will, careful as we go.

  2. " 1939 Nazi Siege of Warsaw" – typical hypocrite narration. There never was such thing as "nazi siege" or "nazi occupation" . occupation German and German bloody murder and destruction and devastation was real.

  3. I’m a better person for having been introduced to this magical, mystical , complex genius. What a refreshingly charming example of all that a man could be ! I was briefly disheartened to see the filmmakers attempting to portray him in a negative light in a portion of then film… it did not change my opinion of him in anyway; however it hurts knowing that humanity can still be this petty to even bring up the alleged temporary political beliefs of one of the truest talents in human history. I do not lie or dislike this man for his alleged political beliefs. They are none of my business. If anything it only serves to show how every single breathe he took, word he said and step he made was with inextinguishable passion and purpose. He was truly genuine. Which I believe to be one of the greatest things anyone can aspire to be. If he didnt have a flaw or two, I would suspect he wasn’t human. His thinking was so far ahead of his own time. But that is not a mark against him. it is just unfortunate for mankind that we could not catch up with him. I never felt or sensed any ill intent or malice in any of the statements he made, even the ones which would be considered harsh or egotistical by societal standards. I believe we each could learn so much from his ideas about individual greatness coming from within ourselves. Do yourselves a favor and listen to him with an open heart and mind. Even if you don’t agree with him, we should consider the things he says. It is in the considering of each other’s different points of view that we can truly grow as a species. Not in the condemnation of; rejection of; or indifference to them.
    I can’t wait to learn more about this hidden gem of a human being.

  4. Saw the doc last night. Magical. I'm so fascinated by this guy. Almost to the point of lionizing him. What a massive talent. His works are quite something, but the more I dwell on him, his mind, and his story, I become even more intrigued. He came across rather arrogant, but at the same time generous with his beliefs. Zermatism may not be rooted in anything but his fantasy, but it's still a proof of his inexhaustiable creativity. I wonder how a mind like that functions.

  5. He saw the potential for humanity unrealized. He loved culture. Not just his own, but the beauty and richness of the earths peoples and their cultures.

  6. From greatness in the arts to friends of a lower art form whom he shared all his artworks. They were admirers and friends who gave us the story of Szukalski. Thank you sharing.

  7. There is nothing beyond the fact that he was a exceptional draftsman and artistic polymath. However when he tries to out science established thought he digs a whole for himself and does not have the good sense to drop the racial system and theory underlying his work.

  8. Thank´s a lot for another beautifull piece . You lead deep conciousnrss thru your YT channel. Much ascending love from COLOMBIA S:A. please keep on this road!!!!!!JORGE

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