Krzysztof Strzelecki invites us into his “dream world” of queer cruising spots

“Gay men are often excluded from the public’s perception of art,” Krzysztof Strzelecki says to It’s Nice That as he introduces his ongoing ceramic series, “whereas every piece I make represents an affirmation of their acceptance.” Cruising Fantasies comprises a myriad of large vases in an exceptionally pleasing range of sinuous shapes. Many of the vases are painted with the landscapes of recognisable London parks. In the series, Krzysztof re-imagines these spaces as “a dream world portraying sexual freedom and the acceptance of the male body and its sexuality.”

Krzysztof is from Świdnica in southwest Poland, but he is currently based in north London. He has travelled widely in the last ten years, giving him a “multiplicity of life experiences which helps to inform my art.” Through the animated way he describes his practice, it is clear to see why Krzysztof is taking the world of ceramics by storm. He is fascinated by the medium of clay: “I feel strongly connected to the earth, the colours of nature calm me. Browns, beiges, whites, blacks, yellows, in fact, all shades of human skin, can be found in the soil.” His artistic influences come from “Greek mythology, legends from different cultures and stories from the bible (especially the Creation of Man),” many of which, he adds happily, “start with clay.”

But Krzysztof also looks back to Renaissance art for inspiration, his “favourite period in history.” He revels in its rich symbology, and he likes how proportions are often distorted and fictional elements like dragons and monsters appear in biblical narratives. While Krzysztof looks back in history for inspiration, he also views his own series as demonstrating a kind of historical cycle – “a historical cycle in gay cruising.” He explains how the settings for queer cruising spots have “progressed from the natural environment, then to bars, then the internet and the mobile phone swiping through endless profiles, but now,” due to the restrictions of the pandemic, “we see a return to nature again.” This is why many of the scenes which encompass Krzysztof’s eclectic range of vases depict parks in London. He explains: “Cruising Fantasies is my vision of a safe environment for gay men set within nature, where fear, violence and prejudice are replaced by joy and inclusion.”

One of his favourite places in London is Hampstead Heath. He made his Hampstead Heath vase when he was working back in Poland during the pandemic and was feeling nostalgic for his favourite London walk. The vase’s decoration is intricate, covered all over with the jubilant, athletic male bodies involved in all kinds of activities of sexual pleasure. The vase is twice the size of his usual vases and its particularly complex design marks an ambitious new stage in his creative practice. Another significant piece for Krzysztof is Regent’s Park. He recalls humorously how his workshop was flooded with water as he was making it. With the flood came an unexpected invasion of frogs, “I had no idea where they came from but I painted them on this vase,” he explains. Regent’s Park is notable for its curvilinear crescent-like shape. For this design, Krzysztof was inspired by the curving terrace of houses designed by architect John Nash which are situated just next to the park.

Considering the intricacy of surfaces that make Krysztof’s ceramic dreamlands so pleasing, it is a wonder to hear about the complex processes he goes through to make them. The stage at which he starts “painting with coloured slips and carving lines on the vase,” the “greenware stage”, is the most trying. He has to work very quickly “otherwise the clay will dry out and become susceptible to cracks or breaks.” But it is this kind of challenge which excites Krysztof. He finishes the interview cheerily by describing what is most important to him in his practice: to “move forward with ideas, take on new challenges and stay true to myself and my vision.”