Szydlowski is a star who paints poetry on canvas. Gifted from birth, he attended the High School of Fine Arts in Jaroslaw Poland and in 1976 graduated as a Master of Fine Arts from Krakow's Academy of Fine Arts. Two years later he emigrated to New Zealand. During his seven year stay, Szydlowski painted, developed a revolutionary printing technique which he named Polprint in honour of his Polish heritage and lectured at Whitecliffe College of Art and Design. Symbolic references to New Zealand often feature in the artist's work.

In 1985 Szydlowski moved to Australia and now lives with his family in Perth. During the following decade Henryk attracted international recognition and representation in Auckland, Christchurch, Sydney, Melbourne, London, Singapore and the United States. In 2003 the American publication Henryk Szydlowski - Door to Dreams was released.

The integrity of Szydlowski's work lies in his unique interpretation of line, form and colour. As a young artist he absorbed the philosophies of 20th Century German movements such as Der Blaue Reiter, paying particular attention to the work of Klee and Kandinsky. Using tactile planes of richly applied colour Szydlowski personalises and reinvents the essence of these earlier influences, suggesting both abstract thought and concrete image. Harmony is achieved by the subtle blending of elements and brilliantly balanced compositions. The work, like the artist himself, knows no international boundaries.