I would like to use this opportunity to ground my art development toward the next steps in my explorations, as well as the chance to be inspired with the new places, communities and heritage.
As I often collaborate with other creatives, researchers, historians and scientists, this would also give me the possibility to widen the field of expertise to my art practice.
My current thematic subjects oscillate in the area of Victorian times, specifically contrasting the complex psychological forces behind the newly industrialized society with the visual richness of the era. I am planning to create a set of sculptural objects, combining various materials and techniques, that would correspond to UK art traditions in some aspects of a style, but with a stronger modern approach. These could be then expanded into exhibitions, used for performances or the larger installations within the same context.
Having the opportunity to receive a bursary is a chance of being able to buy art materials for practical experimentation, pay the rent for the studio, as well as spending time traveling to locations, meeting researchers, exploring archives and of course being able to afford fees for the artistic collaborators or technical support.
My artworks are often located in public spaces, or exploring subjects that might be connected with local themes. Darlington might be a great place to be inspired with and connect with, as part of the artistic research. The final pieces might be then presented in site-specific context, exhibitions or performances locally.
Also, as my art processes include experimental art-craft techniques, I would be happy to share them with the wider audience, the Darlington community or visitors through potential workshops or presentations.
As I am trying to stay active in the UK artistic communities (for example being a member of ‘UK New Artists’ think tank) I am always happy to share experiences and help others to be involved.
The subjects that I love are very often connected to industrial heritage (“Let them weave!” – fabric sculptures exploring textile techniques), our cultural backgrounds (“Where do you come from” – outdoor performance), the complexity of the world we live in (“Crowd” – installation), or structures that surround us in nature (“Hidden Dimension” – large site-specific installation). I am hoping to find these connections with Darlington as well.
As a visual artist with Eastern-European background, now by my choice happily based in the UK, I was always looking for subjects that could be a common ground between cultures, and ways to connect communities by art and collaboration. I explore multiple techniques and types of creativity, connecting sculpture, standalone art pieces, public art, installation, costume, live performances, interacting with people and the surrounding space, trying to move the boundaries of disciplines a little further. Please find my selected recent exhibitions:
2025
> Women’s art exhibition, Brompton Cemetery Chapel, London
2024
> A Place: Sarabande Summer Group Show, Sarabande Foundation, London
2023
> ‘Let them weave!’ Contemporary Polish Sewn Sculptures, Studio Cannaregio, Venice, IT
> Art installation using specially prepared fabrics floating on the water, as a part of Totally Thames Festival, Royal Docks, London
> Site-specific wicker-weaved installation: ‘Hidden Dimension’ at Kensington + Chelsea Art Week, London
2022
> Seasonal large scale outdoor installations for the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Wakehurst:
‘Glow Wild’ – UV-light absorbent art piece in a pond, inspired by bioluminescence of algae
and fungi;
‘Hidden Dimension’ – over 2 acres of land covered with an art installation addressing an underground mycelium network
2019
> UK Young Artist of the Year Award exhibition, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK
> Innovative Costume of the XXI Century: The Next Generation, international exhibition at the Bakhrushin Museum, Moscow
2017
> Public space installations addressing history of textile industry, The City Art Gallery, PL
Yes, please see my education summary:
2019 MA in Contemporary Art Practice: Public Sphere, Royal College of Art in London
2014 MA in Sculpture, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
2013 Postgraduate Journalism Course, University of Warsaw
2011 BA in Sculpture, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
Yes, I had a chance to be supported and awarded by these institutions:
2023 – 2024
Artist in residence at Alexander McQueen’s Sarabande Foundation, London
2023
Seed Fund Art & Science grant project developed with a King’s College London
2019
Nominated to UK Young Artist of the Year Award, London
UK Travers Smith CSR Art Programme participant, London
2017
Polish Ministry of Culture scholarship for developing an art practice in the UK
Yes, I am running a studio and continuously working on various scale projects, including self-created opportunities as well as organizing and managing collaborative art efforts.
In 2022 I personally prepared and won the tender for creating two large-scale seasonal installations for the Royal Botanic Gardens (over 2 acres of land covered with an art installation). The installation had to be both interesting and sturdy enough to survive months of outdoor exposure and visitors activity. The commission entrusted to me by Kew Wakehurst was by all means a complex and challenging project, artistically and logistically, which I am happy to say I was able to successfully manage and deliver.
Other examples could be: a kinetic art installation floating on the water (River Thames in London’s Royal Docks, commissioned by Totally Thames Festival) site-specific installation for Kensington+Chelsea Art foundation, or commissions with Polish city councils and Polish state-founded sculpture centres.
As my art is often site-specific, event-based or temporal installations, I was not focusing strongly so far on addressing the needs of art collections. Some of my pieces (especially the human-size sculptures) were invited to be shown at public-institutions exhibitions. I think the current bursary opportunity could be a chance to explore the pieces that would be welcomed by public curators for a permanent purchase.
Me and my colleagues practicing at Sarabande Foundation were mentioned in press occasionally:
https://www.ft.com/content/abb70b5e-baf2-43a0-95f9-bf31bd56dc7e
as well as our art community participation:
https://sarabandefoundation.org/blogs/whats-on/artist-crit-with-electric-adam-malgorzata-lasiecka
Also, I was lucky to have a good exposure of my Kew Gardens site-specific work,
including mention in the Royal Institute of British Architects journal.
Yes, UK Travers Smith CSR Art Programme and artist in residence at Sarabande Foundation.
Email: mal.lisiecka@gmail.com
