Joanna Pilarczyk's paintings pay tribute to modern portraiture and contemporary figurative art by combining figures of her models with vibrant, clean, abstract shapes, geometric patterns and lush green foliage.

Born in Poland in a post-Soviet country where everything seemed plain and uninspiring, she remembers her first glimpses of Western culture appearing on TV, which sparked her fascination with the multicultural world.

Years later, after moving to London and encountering these unknown, exotic places and people of many cultures, she began to be significantly influenced by them.

Captivated by the vibrancy of paint, Pilarczyk uses a mixture of clashing colours, blending neon acrylics and oils to create sensual and striking portraits of acquaintances and friends within the community of North London. Her romantic compositions explore themes of relationships, self-awareness and acceptance. They convey melancholy and stillness, capturing a moment where the subjects are simply resting and free of responsibility.

In her recent work, Pilarczyk portrays mixed-race and gay couples and women of colour. To create these portraits, the artist discusses marginalised communities with her friends and models, delving into their experiences, love stories, and struggles related to racism, sexuality, and cultural diversity. She aims to give a voice to people seeking acceptance within their community.

Through these intimate portrayals, she also confronts the historical exclusion of Black bodies, LGBTQ+ relationships, and interracial couples from the artistic canon. While mainstream media and consumer culture have superficially embraced diversity, true representation in fine art remains rare. Pilarczyk’s paintings reclaim space for these individuals, affirming their presence and dignity in a world where their stories have often been erased or sidelined.

Her subjects are not passive figures but active, central forces in her compositions. Whether capturing the resilience of Black women, the quiet tenderness of same-sex relationships, or the layered identities of immigrants navigating new realities, Pilarczyk challenges societal perceptions and celebrates the beauty of diversity. In a political climate where hard-fought civil rights are under renewed threat, her work stands as an act of resistance, demanding recognition, visibility, and equality.