Karol Bąk was born on May 30, 1961 in Koło in the Greater Poland Voivodeship. He graduated from the Secondary School of Fine Arts in Poznań and received a diploma in interior exhibitor. In 1984, he began studies at the Faculty of Graphics at the State Higher School of Fine Arts (now the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań). The artist knew from the very beginning which path of education he wanted to choose – Painting, Graphics, Sculpture was a prestigious field and was perceived as “the direction of pure art”. He knew it was the most appropriate choice for him. He graduated in 1989 with two diplomas with honors, both in graphics, with professor Tadeusz Jackowski, and in drawing, in the studio of professor Jarosław Kozłowski. The artist, recalling his final exam, says:
In the Art Exhibitions Office in Poznań, in two large rooms, I presented works of drawing and graphics with two promoters. In graphics, mostly in the copperplate technique, I tried to convey my perception of timeless content and values in my works. However, in large drawing works I showed myself in the current reality and looking for answers to difficult current questions. For example, one drawing with dimensions of 2m x 8m showing life-size Zomists in combat formation en face. As a counter, a barricade made of chaotically arranged chairs was placed in the shape of a semicircle in front of the drawing. It was a kind of “installation”. He was also, among others 3m x 3m self-portrait referring to the golden proportions of Leonardo da Vinci.
