JOANNA PILARCZYK

ARTIST BIO

Joanna Pilarczyk is a London-based contemporary figurative painter. Born in Poland, she studied at the Art University in Zielona Gora, where she earned a Master's degree in Visual Arts and Art Education.

Pilarczyk's artistic talent has earned her recognition and accolades. She was shortlisted for the Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award 2024 at the National Portrait Gallery and long-listed for the Jackson's Art Prize. In 2023, she received the Boynes Monthly Artist Award and was a finalist for the International FiKVA Award for Figurative Painters and the Women United Art Prize in both 2022 and 2021.

Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including at prestigious venues like Mall Galleries at Women in Art Fair, Start Art Fair in Saatchi Gallery and the Other Art Fair in Truman Brewery, London. Additionally, she showcased her paintings at a solo show with Oink Gallery and the Untitled Space Gallery based in New York on Artsy, featuring pieces from her 'My Paradise' series. Furthermore, Joanna actively participated in the Other Art Fair in the last few years.

Her artworks have crossed international borders. As the Untitled Magazine May Cover Open Call winner, her paintings were exhibited at the Superfine Art Fair 10th Anniversary show in Times Square, New York, curated by the Untitled Space Gallery. The works from the 'Intimate Times' series were exhibited at 33 Contemporary Gallery in Chicago and Mixx Atelier Gallery in Telluride, USA, as well as at Kunstbehandlung Gallery in Munich, Germany. Moreover, she contributed her art to the 'Memories in Hindsight' group show at the J/M Gallery in Notting Hill.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Combining the lively, flesh-toned bodies of her models with vibrant, clean abstract shapes, patterns and lemon-green foliage, Joanna Pilarczyk’s paintings pay tribute to modern portraiture and contemporary figurative art.

Born in Poland in the post-Soviet country when everything seemed plain and uninspiring, she remembers her first glimpses of Western culture appearing on TV, which sparked her fascination with Hollywood films and the vibrancy of the 'idyllic' American world. After moving to London years later and having encountered these unknown, exotic places and people of many cultures, she began to be significantly influenced by them.

Captivated by the vibrancy of paint, Pilarczyk uses a bold mixture of clashing colours, blending neon acrylics and oils to create sensual and striking portraits of acquaintances and friends within the community of North London. Her romantic compositions explore themes of relationships, self-awareness and acceptance. They convey melancholy and stillness, capturing a moment where the subjects are simply resting and free of responsibility. This, however, sits in contrast to the bright, energetic palette. She wants the viewer to be drawn in by the dynamic compositions and the lure of the colours and then notice the stillness within that.

Colour plays an essential role in Joanna's work, and her kaleidoscopic palette speaks volumes in her recent paintings. Florescent brights and rich neutrals miraculously co-exist under the direction of her brush. The density of colours such as hot pink, lemon green, neon orange and emerald turquoise; patterns and shifting light create ordinary but poignant scenes that illustrate the heightened, intimate and peaceful settings surrounded by exotic nature.

In her recent work, Pilarczyk focuses on portraying mixed-race and gay couples from her neighbourhood. To create these portraits, the artist engages in discussions with her friends and models, delving into their experiences, love stories and struggles related to racism, sexuality and cultural diversity. She aims to give a voice to people seeking acceptance within their close community and society and highlight them as inspiration to others.