Elżbieta Smoleńska
Elżbieta Smoleńska (MA degree in Polish Literature, Warsaw University) worked for many years for BBC World Service. After leaving radiojournalism she devoted her time to photography and screenprinting.
https://www.polskieradio.pl/24/290/Artykul/276358,Etiopczycy-w-Fabryce-Koronek
She participated in several group exhibitions - in Gallery 286, Studio Ex-Purgamento, Putney Arts Theatre, Bargehouse (Oxo Tower) and POSK Gallery. She won several prizes at the Summer Exhibitions in Putney School of Art and Design. One of her artworks was used as a cover for „Ars Inter Disciplinis”, a book devoted to dialog between art and music.
For many years Elżbieta Smoleńska has participated in Wandsworth Artists Open House showing her photography, screen prints and unique jewellery. In 2017 her home gallery was voted the best and was visited by the highest number of viewers.
https://www.radio.bialystok.pl/podrozepokulturze/index/id/167357
In her artistic practice Elżbieta uses her own photography but also found images and objects, old family photographs, newspaper cuttings and all kind of "paper detritus" as a base for her collage work or limited edition prints. She also draws her inspiration from her academic background in literature. Miron Białoszewski's concept of the re-imagined object is particularly appealing to her and serves as a "manifesto" for her collage work.
Elżbieta Smoleńska’s installation “On the distaff side” shown during London Ultra exhibition organised by Free Painters and Sculptors in Bargehouse (Oxo Tower) in 2018 was awarded honorable mention.
The installation consisted of over 40 old weaving shuttles, old threads and photographs and symbolised the family tree.
Also in 2018 another of her installations, “Independent”, won 3rd prize in the competition celebrating 100 years anniversary of the Polish independence.
The jury of the competition consisted of, among others, graphic designer Andrzej Klimowski and curator of Ben Uri gallery, Rachel Dickson.
