Bartłomiej Belniak

Bartłomiej Belniak

My name is Bartłomiej Belniak, I am a graphic designer, cartoonist, illustrator and caricaturist. I live in Gorlice in the beautiful Beskid Niski. I graduated from the Post-Secondary School of Advertising in Katowice and the Artistic Department of the Higher Pedagogical School in Częstochowa (currently the Jan Długosz University of Humanities and Sciences), where in 2000 I defended my diploma in the studio of prof. Ryszard Osadczy.

Since 1995, I have been working as an illustrator, graphic designer and instructor of artistic subjects at the Youth Culture Center in Gorlice. I am very grateful for these experiences, which allowed me to develop my skills. I made my debut in the “Gazeta Krakowska” in 1997 and since then I have been regularly collaborating with many press titles and publishing houses, such as “Gazeta Krakowska”, “Premiery”, “Chichot”, “Semestr”, “Świat Kamienia”, “Stuff”, “Rzeczpospolita”, “Nie”, “Lider Przyszłości”, “OMS”, “Chip”, “Komputer Świat”, “Biblioteka w Szkole” and “Wszystko dla Szkoły”. In the years 2011–2014, in cooperation with the Sukurs publishing house, I prepared “Poczet królów Polski” – an educational set of 42 boards with images of Polish rulers. In my artistic work, I often refer to the best traditions of caricature as a genre of art. I am characterized by a certain line and skillful filling of selected spaces in the composition of the drawing with intense colors, which makes my works easily recognizable. I create caricatures and portraits of characters from various fields, both literary and musical, where I share my interests and passions with the recipients. In the case of historical and political characters, I try to bring out their characteristic features, using classic means of expression typical of caricature.

As a keen observer, I pay attention to the behavior, appearance and social ideas and political views presented by the people portrayed. As a satirist, I often reach for wordplay and humorous combinations that are based on the ambiguity of concepts. I draw inspiration for my works from various sources. Although I can jokingly say that there is a tree with a hole in the city park, in which once a week I find a list of topics, the truth is that inspiration can be anything – an overheard conversation, news from the media, a captured moment from the lives of other people. Drawings come from everywhere and are not a derivative of one specific emotion.

It is easier in the case of competitions, where a specific topic determines the direction of the work. However, I do not hunt for awards – they simply happen to me. I used to get involved in numerous competitions, now I focus on other activities. Despite this, if I receive awards, I accept them humbly. This was the case, for example, during the 50th Forum Humanum gala, where I was awarded the Eryka 2021 award. This is proof that my work is recognizable and appreciated throughout Poland, for which I am very grateful.

My collections available in Valare®