Adam Turyn was born in Warsaw, Congress Poland (now Poland) in 1908. Following the outbreak of the Second World War, and the occupation of Poland in 1939, he moved to England in 1940 as part of the Polish Armed Forces in the West, while continuing his artistic pursuits. Turyn gained recognition as a painter for his sensitive use of colour and light, creating evocative works that often featured figures and atmospheric interiors. His art featured in several prominent exhibitions, including at the Royal Academy of Arts and the Ben Uri Gallery in London.
Artist Adam Turyn was born in Warsaw, Poland, on 6 April 1908. His life and career were profoundly shaped by the events of the Second World War and the occupation of Poland in 1939. After initially settling in Paris, Turyn escaped to the UK in 1940 as part of the Polish Armed Forces in the West. This move marked the beginning of a long-term connection with the UK, where he would live and work for nearly four decades. During the war, Turyn was one of many Polish soldier-artists stationed in Edinburgh under a programme designed to present Polish culture to the British public. As part of this initiative, Turyn and his compatriots exhibited their work with the Society of Scottish Artists (SSA), contributing to cultural exchanges during a challenging period. His work was also featured in a 1943 group exhibition at the Bankfield Museum in Halifax, which showcased oil paintings by artists from countries allied with Britain during the war, including notable Polish artists such as Marek Zulawski and Witold Mars, as well as contributions from other artists, including Norwegian painter Ferdinand Finne and Czechoslovak sculptor Mary Duras. Turyn’s work was well received, and his connection with the SSA continued, with his paintings being included posthumously in the SSA's 1991 Annual Exhibition, several years after his death.
Turyn's artistic output was varied and prolific. His style was characterised by a subtle sensitivity to colour and a mastery of lighting, qualities that were often remarked upon by critics. He frequently depicted figures, but he also had a penchant for compositions involving open windows, where the interplay between interior shadows and exterior light created a dynamic and atmospheric effect. This can be seen in works like The Backyard and Reader by the Window, which showcase his ability to convey mood and ambiance through carefully arranged compositions and delicate colour schemes (The Scotsman 1946).
Turyn's subjects were often drawn from his surroundings and the people he encountered. His first solo exhibition in the UK, held at the Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh in 1946, featured 38 oil paintings and 12 drawings, including portraits of a local art student and images of Scottish life, such as Two Scots Girls dressed in tartan. His preference for amateur models allowed him to capture a natural and unposed quality in his portraits, adding to their emotional depth and authenticity. In addition to his exhibitions in Scotland, Turyn's work was displayed in London. Notably, he exhibited in the Summer Exhibition by Contemporary Jewish Artists at the Ben Uri Gallery in 1952, a key venue for Jewish and immigrant artists in the UK. Over the years, his work was also displayed at the Royal Academy of Arts annual exhibitions (1945, 1946, 1947, 1949) and in numerous Scottish shows. Critics consistently praised his work for its confidence and technical prowess. A review in The Scotsman from 1946 highlighted his ‘sensitiveness in colour arrangements and subtlety of lighting, along with a forcefulness and confidence of technique’, underscoring his ability to blend technical skill with an emotional resonance that appealled to a broad audience. In his later years, Turyn's work was described as often having a subdued colour palette, with his drawings showing a ‘Matisse-like simplicity’, according to a 1990 review in the Morecambe Guardian. This simplicity did not detract from the impact of his work but rather highlighted his ability to convey deep emotions and narratives with minimalistic techniques.
Adam Turyn died in London, England on 23 August 1987. His contributions to the arts were commemorated in a posthumous exhibition at Lancaster University’s Scott Gallery in 1990, which featured a wide range works, including oils, drawings, and prints, showcasing the breadth and versatility of his artistic vision. His work is not currently represented in UK public collections.