Congratulations to Wikitoria Figurska for earning her place as a Finalist in the Boynes Artist Award [9th Edition Young Artist Category]!

Who are you?

My name is Wiktoria Figurska. I am self-taught, 20 years old, from Warsaw, Poland. Since I was little, I was interested in the arts and the creative process that goes behind it. Throughout my life, I expressed myself in a wide variety of ways: from painting, drawing, sculpting, sewing to dancing, singing, playing instruments. When it comes to art, there are just so many things you can do - hence I never get bored of it and I constantly have my mind wrapped around it.

I notably explore themes of “identity”, "feeling" and “nature”. I have always been drawn to the complex abstraction of existence and the way one conveys their true, authentic self through thoughts, beliefs and appearances in society. I also portray nature in my art, as I find it beautiful and love to interpret it in my own way, also as a way of expressing gratitude towards it.

I truly am passionate about visually communicating my ideas through various media, as well as using my craft to convey messages and encourage the audience to contemplate beyond the framework of diverse range of topics.

Currently, I am studying fashion business in London, UK. Nevertheless, in my free time I create as much as I can and seek out creative opportunities.

What inspired you to utilize mixed media, specifically embroidery within painting?

I used to mainly paint with acrylics and stuck to that medium for a while. As I got older, I finally found the courage to step out of my comfort zone and try out oil paints. To my surprise, the medium suited me significantly. I did not expect to enjoy painting with oils as much and be that greatly satisfied with my final outcomes.

I think that definitely contributed to finding more of my confidence and excitement regarding stepping out of my usual boundaries and exploring other mediums available, such as: embroidery.

That is how I ended up mixing embroidery and oil paints. I experimented on smaller canvases and played around with the compositions, color pallets, and learnt different embroidery techniques. From there, a more concise vision developed.

How would you describe your ARTwork and what do you hope to communicate to the audience?

Through this piece, I wanted to portray the extraordinary aspects of identities in an ‘ordinary’ street setting. I painted the scene in black and white to depict how typical moments in our lives may seem ordinary and mundane. However, the interactions we have with one another bring light, joy, and unpredictability to our everyday existence. To convey this, I used vibrant, saturated hues for the people.

Additionally, I aimed to emphasize the uniqueness of each identity by using a wide variety of colors, ensuring no color repeats, and incorporating embroidery. This technique makes the figures literally stand out from the background. I believe the medium suited the idea very well.

Can you discuss the inspiration and thought process behind your winning work?

The composition was inspired by a moment of sudden realization I had while traveling. It occurred to me that every person I saw in that instant was a completely different, unique identity, living their own life just like me - yet I knew nothing about them and would probably never encounter them again. I found this thought both intriguing and inspiring.

I wanted to convey the uniqueness of these identities on canvas within what one would consider an ordinary, everyday scene. This idea drove me to capture the extraordinary diversity and individuality of people in a seemingly mundane setting.

Can you talk about your biggest learning experience during the process of creating your work?

During the process of creating the work, I learned the value of great patience. This was my first piece incorporating embroidery, and the execution took much longer than I originally anticipated. Despite the lengthy process requiring precision and attention, I enjoyed it greatly. It was exciting to see the vision come to life.

In terms of physical skills, I learned appropriate techniques for embroidery. By making some samples, I discovered the correct stitch to use, which helped minimize my use of thread on the back of the canvas and resulted in a clearer look.

Can you discuss your biggest success since starting your artistic journey?

The interpretation of my art by others is very important to me. I am fascinated by hearing people's interpretations of my works, and it inspires me to create more. This interest in sharing my work stems from my gratitude for those who engage with my pieces and find something within my craft that resonates with them. If my art has touched someone in some way, evoking feelings, emotions, thoughts, or reflections, I consider that my biggest success.

Additionally, my participation in a recent exhibition in London contributed to this success. It gave me the opportunity to share my art with a wider audience, further enhancing the connection between my work and those who experience it.

Can you share with us the best piece of advice you have received so far?

Be truly authentic, with that you realize your worthiness in any situation.

What projects are you working on currently?

I am currently creating a lot of abstract and expressive pieces, exploring a full surrender to the process. By this, I mean allowing myself to enter a transcendent state and translate whatever arises within me into the tangible world without judging what appears. This can be quite difficult at times, as I unintentionally have expectations for the outcome. Part of me wants the work to look "good," which is paradoxical because it is very subjective.

I practice letting go of these expectations and surrender to whatever occurs, reminding myself that it is okay to enjoy the process without the final outcome always needing to be a success.

I am cultivating a lot of inspiration by getting more in touch with myself, my feelings, and reflections. My creative process focuses on delving deeply into the subconscious, letting my body guide the movements of the mediums I use, such as acrylic paints and inks. I freely choose colors that I am drawn to in the moment and manifest lines and shapes onto the canvas, surrendering to my body's impulses and the flow of creativity. Currently, I am working on a collection of ink artworks, allowing these concepts to guide me.

Lastly, I like to ask everyone what advice they would give to their fellow artists, what is your advice?

Be authentic and do not be afraid to truly express yourself. This applies not only when you create art, but also in your way of being and living this life - that is your power. YOU are the creator of your life’s journey here, do not let others take away that power from you because of fear of what they think. Be authentic and raw in your art and way of living no matter what.

To view more of Wiktoria Figurska

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