Robert Proch

Robert Proch

Urban Art, Contemporary Realism

November 17, 2014

Polish artist Robert Proch was a muralist, painter, and animator best known for his signature style that mixed architectural elements with figurative. The kinetic power imbued his artworks and a constant shift in perspectives. Inspired by modern graffiti, animation, and impressionism, his art was a call for social change and reflection. Art lovers and the public were in awe of how many various emotions the artist managed to express in a single piece and inspire a deep state of reflection. Throughout his career, Proch exhibited in numerous cities across the USA and Europe, including London, Viana, Warsaw, Munich, and Budapest, to name a few.

Robert Proch's Art

Robert Proch was born in 1986 in Bydgoszcz, a city in Poland. From a young age, he was interested in art, and as soon as he picked up a spray can, he was hooked. He left graffiti all over the streets of his hometown, but soon he started experimenting with painting. Proch graduated from the Academy of Fine Art in Poznan, and even as a student, he began exhibiting his art in several galleries across Europe.

Proch drew inspiration from the urban environment. However, he drew cities as plain, purposely removing all the small details, such as trash cans and benches. Although somewhat barren, the artist's modern city is still futuristic and full of motion and processing. All the perspective came from a fixed central point, and around it, the intricate compositions full of atmospheric brushstrokes and abstracted shapes. After dropping the photographic references, Proch found new freedom in his artistic expression. The artist said:

Every new element is changing its current situation on the canvas and you have to react.

Passing of Time

All the work Proch created was based in realism. In order for a viewer to understand the painting, "the first step comes out from defined universe which is possible to identify with." Every piece tells a story and is a mini-narrative that explores the human condition in today's world. The artist portrays situations that vary from mundane to ominous. Through a rich color palette, he examines raw emotions, such as friendship, fear, sentimentality, greed, and loss, driven by the constant reminder that time is passing, and death is coming closer. Proch said:

Once we find ourselves in this safe situation, we realize that the clock is ticking. Sooner or later, it has to end with a decision.

Animation

The artist was an exceptional animator who created several short films, including Virus (2009) and Fugu (2008). In 2011 he received an award for the best animated film at the Curta Cinema International Short Film Festival in Rio de Janeiro for his animated short Gallery (2010). In 2019 Robert Proch passed away at 33. In 2022 his works were shown in a group exhibition, Retransmission, at Mirus Gallery in Denver.

Featured image: Photo of Robert Proch. Copyright of the artist

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