Paul Chojnowski

"I have been burning images into wood and paper as a means of drawing for nearly two decades. During that time I have continued to refine and experiment within this unpredictable undertaking. Though my work has a unique appearance, I do not see this as an aspect of style- it is simply a result of this volatile and unforgiving process. Visually my pictures are about capturing light; thematically they are about capturing a transient moment."

Throughout his career, a distinguishing characteristic has been the use of nontraditional media and tools in Paul's art making. His current work, images burned into paper and wood, evolved as a result of his conscious effort to embrace certain art historical traditions while rejecting the traditional process. Chojnowski began burning and scorching wood and paper to create his images in the early 90's. Noteworthy is his use of water in the execution of the works because it softens the image and emphasizes the sense of light.

In February of 2011, filmmaker Howard Libov premiered the second documentary in his series Under the Radar, featuring contemporary American artists at Farleigh Dickinson University; AGLOW follows Chojnowski's studio activity and career over a period of two years. View the trailer here.