Tomek Haładaj (born in Łódź, 1996) is an artist’s artist and a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź, where he earned his degree in painting with honors in 2021.
His practice spans painting, collage, and sculpture, with a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and hands-on creation. He personally produces every element of his works, valuing the process as much as the outcome.
Haładaj explores materials and techniques with an inventive, almost patent-like approach, constantly expanding his artistic language. He incorporates found and gifted objects, transforming them into new meanings and contexts.
Rooted in the spirit of Dadaism and Art Brut, his work embraces spontaneity, boldness, and an unfiltered honesty in artistic expression.
In my artistic practice, I primarily work with painting, drawing, sculpture, and collage. I use only materials salvaged from rubbish heaps, basements, abandoned buildings, and attics. I also source materials from small second-hand shops, local bookstores, and elderly vendors at markets.
Since the very beginning of my practice—including my time as a student—I have never purchased a single canvas. Everything I work on has been found or made by hand. I am intuitively drawn to imperfect, damaged, or altered materials, seeing in their flaws an opportunity for artistic experimentation. More often than not, these imperfections become the essence of the work itself.
My belief in the potential of discarded and repurposed materials was reinforced by my discovery of Władysław Hasior’s work. His energy, wit, and masterful craftsmanship captivated me, affirming my approach. Inspired by his legacy, I experiment with materials and techniques in a way that feels almost like inventing new methods—patenting my own artistic language.
I value craftsmanship and hands-on creation, which is why I construct every component of my work myself. From building frames and preparing grounds to stretching canvases and making adhesives, I embrace both traditional and unconventional methods, developing my own unique visual vocabulary.
Formally, my work is informed by Dadaism and Art Brut, driven by a desire to create art that is uninhibited, daring, and deeply honest. My greatest influences include Andrzej Wróblewski, Jan Švankmajer, David Lynch, Tadeusz Brzozowski, the Polish School of Posters and the aforementioned Władysław Hasior.
Beyond aesthetics, my work is rooted in a set of personal values and observations: reducing waste, using environmentally friendly or vegetarian materials in place of traditional painting chemicals, and minimising financial transactions in favour of self-sufficiency. I seek to support local initiatives, refine my manual skills, and embrace a ‘do-it-yourself’ philosophy that fosters humility, creativity, and human connection.
Ultimately, my practice is about adventure, discovery, and reflecting on the essence of human existence—our condition, our purpose, and our place in the universe. And, in the spirit of Eastern philosophies, it is also about letting go of these very questions.
