vc JacekYerka BackToNature Jacek Yerka (1952-)

The composition presents a claustrophobic interior space, rendered in muted tones dominated by shades of grey and green. The setting appears to be a bathroom, but one drastically altered and overgrown with organic matter. Here we see tiled walls, typical of such spaces, yet they are obscured by creeping vines and moss, suggesting an encroachment of nature upon the artificial environment.
A prominent feature is a toilet fixture, its porcelain surface stained and partially submerged in what appears to be stagnant water teeming with aquatic plants. The bowl itself contains a mass of organic material resembling grain or seeds, further emphasizing the theme of decay and natural reclamation. Adjacent to this, a bathtub overflows with similar vegetation, creating an unsettling juxtaposition between domestic utility and uncontrolled growth.
Above these elements, a complex network of pipes and mechanical components is visible, including what appears to be a sewing machine (marked SINGER) integrated into the wall structure. This assemblage suggests a commentary on industrialization and its impact on the natural world. The machinery seems not merely present but actively contributing to the environment’s transformation – perhaps symbolizing how human intervention, even in seemingly mundane activities like sewing or sanitation, can disrupt ecological balance.
A single rose, rendered with meticulous detail, sits at the lower edge of the frame. Its presence offers a stark contrast to the surrounding decay and suggests a fragile hope for renewal amidst the pervasive sense of decline. The rose’s placement – isolated and vulnerable – implies that beauty and natural order persist even within environments dominated by artificiality and entropy.
The overall effect is one of unsettling surrealism, prompting reflection on humanitys relationship with nature and the potential consequences of unchecked technological advancement. The artist has constructed a visual metaphor for the cyclical processes of growth, decay, and regeneration, where the boundaries between human creation and natural forces become blurred and ultimately dissolve.