About the artist
"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how."— Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil (1886)
Marlena Owczarek (b. 1998, Konin, Poland) is an Antwerp-based artist whose multidisciplinary practice encompasses photography, video, installation, metal construction, ceramics, jewellery, poetry, glass, and drawing. Born in Poland and migrating to Antwerp at the age of three, Marlena grew up in a household that fostered creativity through drawing, painting, reading, and hands-on exploration. Her artistic journey began at the age of 14, when she made the decision to shift her studies from Latin to Art Studies. Marlena had a deep fascination with London and, at 17, moved there with the intention of pursuing her studies abroad. However, after an introspective period, she returned to Antwerp. While the experience gave her valuable life lessons, she found that the course did not offer the challenges she was seeking.
Initially specializing in photography, Marlena's curiosity and passion for exploring different materials led her to expand her practice over the years. This openness to experimentation has defined her artistic approach, resulting in a body of work that spans multiple mediums. Throughout her studies, Marlena had the opportunity to assist in exhibition production alongside established artists such as Sarah Smolders, Tinka Pittoors, and Felicitas Rohden, as well as collaborate on constructions for gallery spaces like LLS Paleis, which honed her technical expertise and spatial awareness.
Marlena’s work is an ongoing exploration of materiality, memory, and transformation, focusing on themes of transparency, fragility, and the ephemeral nature of existence. She gravitates toward the unknown and embraces "flaws" or accidents, often integrating them into her creative process. Her work is deeply personal, reflecting her mental and emotional states at specific moments in time and weaving life lessons and personal experiences into the fabric of her creations.
In recent years, Marlena has shifted toward a more outward-facing approach. While her earlier practice was rooted in self-exploration, her current focus is on creating art that invites collective reflection. She believes in the power of art to foster connection and influence change, particularly in how individuals engage with themselves and each other. Through her work, Marlena aspires to help others witness themselves more clearly and to inspire a collective striving for authenticity, comfort, and self-love.
Marlena's artistic practice continues to be influenced by figures such as Hilma af Klint, Rudolf Steiner, Carl Jung, Louise Bourgeois, and René Lalique, with a focus on symbolism, and the relationship between mind and matter.
In addition to her personal artistic practice, Marlena is also involved in jewellery design and writing. She collaborates with musicians, including Porcelain Id, for whom she filmed the music video for Rhythm Machine and assisted in the shooting of Moon. Furthermore, her artwork will be featured as the cover for the upcoming album by musician Maéra/Professor Trelawney.
Curriculum Vitae
→ Artistieke Opleiding (Art Studies) // De!Kunsthumaniora, Antwerpen — 2013-2017
→ FD Fine Arts // University for the Creative Arts, Epsom — 2017-2018
→ BA Photography (Incomplete) // Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerpen — 2018-2019
→ BA Studio Project // Sint Lucas School of Arts, Antwerpen — 2019-2023
→ Stained Glass Art // Academie Antwerpen, Antwerpen — 2020-2021
→ MA Autonomous Context // Sint Lucas School of Arts, Antwerpen — 2023-2024
→ Professional Goldsmith and Jewelry Design Course // Syntra PXL, Bokrijk — 2024-2025
→ Glass Art // Academie Berchem, Antwerpen — 2024-ongoing
→ Artistieke Opleiding (Art Studies) // De!Kunsthumaniora, Antwerpen — 2013-2017
→ FD Fine Arts // University for the Creative Arts, Epsom — 2017-2018
→ BA Photography (Incomplete) // Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerpen — 2018-2019
→ BA Studio Project // Sint Lucas School of Arts, Antwerpen — 2019-2023
→ Stained Glass Art // Academie Antwerpen, Antwerpen — 2020-2021
→ MA Autonomous Context // Sint Lucas School of Arts, Antwerpen — 2023-2024
→ Professional Goldsmith and Jewelry Design Course // Syntra PXL, Bokrijk — 2024-2025
→ Glass Art // Academie Berchem, Antwerpen — 2024-ongoing