My name is Mariola Wiazowska, and I am a fourth-year student of contemporary art at the Atlantic Technological University of Galway.  Driven by passion, I explore the dynamic relationship between observation and the environment, capturing fleeting moments that reveal deeper meaning. My artistic practice is driven by a deep curiosity and a constant desire to explore the limitless potential of art as a language and medium of transformation.

Using an intuitive approach to experimentation, I constantly question boundaries, both in technique and concept. My work often emerges from personal observation and emotional resonance, drawing inspiration from the subtle complexities of everyday life, the natural world, and the complexities of human nature. These influences converge in visual images that are bold, introspective, and thought-provoking at the same time.

Through the lens, I try to bring out the essence of the world around me: its peace and movement, its intimacy and distance. My approach is both intuitive and experimental, often blurring the lines between documentary and conceptual photography. I'm particularly interested in how light, texture and composition can evoke memory, sensitivity and reflection. For me, photography is more than a medium – it's a way of seeing, a process of discovery, and a tool for connecting. Each image becomes a piece of a larger narrative, inviting viewers to slow down, have a closer look, and engage with the subtleties of their own perception.

For me, art is more than just a practice – it is a lens through which I see and try to understand and interact with the world. It is both a personal and shared journey – a journey of curiosity, introspection and constant discovery of the unknown.

 

Since childhood, I have felt a deep connection to the land, which strengthens my sense of belonging. This interdependence goes beyond physical presence, weaving culture and history into the landscapes we inhabit. Through practices such as farming or simply spending time in nature, this bond nourishes both the earth and the people, reminding us of our responsibility to care for and care for it.

At the beginning of my explorations, I was drawn to the visual language of place and time, often exploring these themes through post-production experiments. By combining the images, I wanted to create a layered sense of depth and evoke feelings of age and constructed memory in the environment – particularly in the context of bogs.

The turning point in my artistic practice came when I first introduced fabric into my work. This material became a tactile element that helped connect the physical and metaphorical layers of the landscape. I began to combine two seemingly separate environments: the bed and the swamp. This combination allowed me to blur the boundaries between the domestic and the natural, the intimate and the wild, creating a new kind of landscape that speaks to personal memory, transformation, and a reconstructed sense of place.

In my last practice, I came to the conclusion that abstraction offers a more personal way of engaging with environmental issues. By distorting reality, I try to emphasise the tension between organic and toxic elements — creating images that serve as visual metaphors for contamination and ecological imbalance.

Pushing the boundaries of traditional photographic methods, I began to explore scanography as a new technique for capturing the presence of swamp debris. By placing found objects and textile samples directly on the flatbed scanner, I create detailed and surreal compositions. This process allows me to create intricate textures, offering an unconventional perspective of a crafted landscape

My work explores the intersection of human consumption and the disappearing ecosystems of bogs and swamp lakes. With a particular focus on increasing textile pollution, often overlooked in environmental conversations, these wetlands are important natural groundwater filters and carbon sinks. However, these reservoirs of biodiversity are increasingly threatened by pollution from synthetic fibres, dyes and microplastics that leach from discarded textiles into the water and soil.

Through my art, I try to present the tension between the natural and the synthetic. In my work, I use materials such as reclaimed fabrics that reflect peatland landscapes. By juxtaposing these materials, I want to expose the unnatural intrusion of human waste into these natural environments. In this work, I am particularly drawn to the symbolism of the swamp lake – a liminal space where life flourishes in stillness, but is now suppressed by human ignorance. I use visual metaphors such as layers to evoke the invisible impact of textile waste sinking into these waters and accumulating in peat.

I encourage viewers to recognise their connection to fast fashion and disposable culture. My request is to reflect on the invisible cost of our choices and to imagine a future in which these ancient ecosystems are nurtured rather than consumed. This tribute to nature's resilience is a reminder that even in the face of swamp pollution, life continues, but not without scars.

 

MARIOLA WIAZOWSKA

 BARNA, Co GALWAY, IRELAND

MOBILE 858383729

e-mail:  mariola.wiazowska@gmail.com

 

SUMMARY

I am a fourth-year Contemporary art student at the Atlantic University of Galway. I am driven by a passion for exploring the boundless possibilities of artistic expression. With a keen eye for detail and a love for experimentation, I continuously push the boundaries of my creativity. Drawing inspiration from the world around me, I translate my observations and emotions into vibrant and thought-provoking visual narratives. Through my work, I strive to captivate viewers and ignite their imagination, inviting them to embark on a journey of self-discovery and introspection. Art is not just my profession; it is my way of being—a constant source of joy, fulfilment, and endless exploration.

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EDUCATION

Atlantic Technological University of Galway
BA (Hons) Contemporary Art Practice
Focus: Photography, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Ceramics, Sculpture, Digital Media, Filmmaking
September 2021 – Present

Galway Technical Institute
Art & Design – Level 6 Certificate
Focus: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Collage, Printmaking, Problem-Solving, Work Experience
September 2012 – June 2015

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EXHIBITIONS
Claddagh Hall, Galway – 2013
Claddagh Hall, Galway – 2016
126 Artist-Run Gallery, Galway – 2024

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ADDITIONAL SKILLS & INTERESTS
Skilled in Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro, with a passion for crafting evocative visual narratives through both photography and video. I approach critique as an essential part of the creative process, using it to deepen my work and evolve new ideas.

I’m naturally curious and love to experiment—especially with alternative techniques and mixed media. Whether I’m using scanography, fabric, or a traditional camera, I’m always looking for new ways to shape mood and meaning. My goal is to communicate emotion and concept with clarity, impact, and a sense of subtlety.

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