Oliwia Alicja Woszczynska
Faces of the Past
I navigate the intricate realms of emotion, memory, and the vivid tapestry of existence. Fuelled by the recent, unforeseen departure of my uncle, I embark on a journey to uncover the profound beauty woven within recollections. My latest endeavour, captured amidst the backdrop of Poland during his passing, weaves together discovered footage of previously unseen family members, presenting a visual narrative that stands as a homage to the unwavering resilience of those we've bid farewell to. Through my artistry, I strive to carve out a sanctuary for introspection, embracing the multifaceted emotions that thread through our collective human narrative.
Delving into the profound themes of love, loss, memory, and sorrow, this body of work serves as a personal pilgrimage through grief, punctuated by vibrant bursts of colour that mirror the emotional spectrum following the recent loss of my grandmother and godfather. Through the lens of photography, I endeavour to encapsulate the essence of my sentiments, employing vivid hues to articulate the layers of mourning, recollection, and celebration.
My imagery, an intricate mosaic of feelings, reflects the delicate interplay between joy and sorrow. Seamlessly intertwining my creations with unearthed family footage, I craft a visual dialogue that bridges the chasm between past and present. This labour of love is both a tribute and a form of catharsis, affording me the opportunity to come to terms with profound loss while immortalizing cherished moments.
Artist Statement
In my artistic exploration, I navigate the intricate realms of emotion, memory, and existence. Fuelled by recent departures, I embark on a journey to uncover the profound beauty woven within recollections. My work, a blend of digital and analogue photography, captures the essence of fleeting moments and enduring memories.
I weave together captured fragments of time, each frame a testament to the delicate interplay between past and present. Guided by the vibrant spectrum of emotions stirred by recent losses, I immerse myself in the dual worlds of pixels and film. The process itself becomes a form of meditation, as I meticulously compose and develop each image, seeking to articulate the layers of mourning, recollection, and celebration.
Delving into themes of love, loss, memory, and sorrow, my art serves as a personal pilgrimage through grief. Through the lens of both digital and analogue mediums, I strive to encapsulate the essence of my sentiments, crafting a visual narrative that transcends the boundaries of time and space.
My process is as much an exploration of technique as it is a journey of self-discovery. Seamlessly blending the raw authenticity of 35mm film with the archival photos of my family, I create a mosaic of feelings that speaks to the universal experience of love and loss. This labor of love is both a tribute and a form of catharsis, allowing me to navigate profound sorrow while immortalizing cherished moments in silver halide, preserving them for eternity.
Biography
Instagram: @oliwia.photographs
Email: oliwia217@outlook.ie
Born in Poland and later relocating to Ireland at the age of eight, Oliwia Alicja Woszczynska has since called Ireland her home. With a passion for digital photography, she embarked on her journey into the world of analogue in September 2023. Fascinated by the interplay of hues and the psychology of colour, Oliwia finds herself drawn to the exploration of colour theory and vibrant palette schemes in her work. Through her lens, she seeks to capture the essence of moments, weaving a narrative that celebrates the beauty of both the seen and unseen world.
Previous Exhibitions
2024 - Photography and Moving Image and Print Contemporary Practice, Artists' Books Exhibition, Clare Street Campus, Limerick School of Art and Design, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Limerick, Ireland, Group Exhibition
2024 - Then and Now, Church Gallery, Limerick School of Art & Design Clare Street Campus, Technological University of Midlands Midwest, Limerick, Ireland, Group Exhibition
2024 - Imbolc, Treaty City Brewery, Limerick, Ireland, Group Exhibition
2023 - Polyphonic, Dublin Art Book Fair Publication, Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin, Ireland, Group Exhibition
2023 - A Furtherance of Their Own Desires, Sailor’s Home, O’Curry Street, Limerick, Ireland, Group Exhibition
2022 - Maximalism Exhibition, Spacecraft Sudio’s, Limerick, Ireland, Group Exhibition
2022 - Still Moving, Georges Quay Campus, Technological University of Midlands Midwest, Limerick School of Art & Design, Limerick, Ireland, Group Exhibition