Conversations with Marcin Owczarek

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcin Owczarek

Hi Marcin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My love for art was revealed approximately at the age of seventeen when I created my first paper-collage. Since that moment I have tried to find the best medium to express myself. Initially I used scissors, glue and paper. After some time it was not enough. The possibilities of creation for me were too narrow. In this way I discovered photography and the computer programe Photoshop. Subsequently I connected collage and photography. At the age of twenty, I began studying photography at The College of Photography which I graduated from in 2008 with the cycle ‘Brave New World’. Afterwards, I used to study at the University of Anthropology. Anthropology gave me erudite knowledge of other cultures which includes for instance: mythologies, beliefs, rituals of ethnic groups, ethnic art, from the ‘primitive’ tribes to western societies. Now, I’m able to compare the various and unusual activities of human beings and flourish my imagination. I can honestly say that my formal training is the union of the college of photography and department of Anthropology. At the beginning I used to photograph every single element(s) I needed in creation: buildings, monuments, animals, landscapes, etc. I developed photography and started to create digital art as well as mixed media art. In the meantime I also experimented with a photographic process from the 19th century known as Wet Plate Collodion Photography. All in all, I have been working with fine art photography for 21 years. Photography changed my life, because I do my best to make a living from my passion and spend my life making what I love.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it was absolutely not a smooth road. It was the road full of obstacles and struggles. At the beginning, when you enter the world of art at a young age after graduating, it is simply “Terra Incognita”, an unknown land. The art college provides you with education and technical skills, but basically gives you no experience in such a specific universe as the art world. In my family there were no artists or members dealing with the art world. I never had teachers or mentors, someone who would help me to tame the unknown, open the door, show the outline of the road. In the meantime I moved from my native country and had to find myself in a new reality in a new country – Belgium. I needed to go through this path on my own with all the ups and downs. Also, like in any business, you meet people with pure intentions and bad intentions. Your only coin is your talent, motivation and hard work. Apart from that the most challenging for an artist in my view is to develop your own extraordinary style. Art lovers and collectors want to see unique works, they want to be amazed and surprised. In my case, it took me two decades to create my exceptional and recognizable style in the art world. After all these years I think it’s good that it happened that I had to learn everything myself, because it gave me huge motivation, taught me to work hard chasing my dreams. Regarding my (art) life I will use a Latin phrase “Per aspera ad astra” meaning “through hardships to the stars”.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a fine art photographer and I specialize in digital art. I work with international art galleries who exhibit my artworks at galleries/art fairs and sell them to the art collectors. I am happy that I can cooperate with people with passion who trust in my art. I am proud of the fact that I exhibit in amazing art galleries (in USA: Denver, New Orleans, San Francisco) and that my artworks were exhibited at world’s recognizable art fairs amongst others: Art Paris, Art London, PAN Amsterdam Art Fair, ZonaMaco Mexico Art Fair, Cape Town Art Fair, Fotofever Brussels. I am also proud from my three solo shows in the mesmerizing New Orleans at Angela King Gallery. What sets me apart from others is my unique, exceptional style in art, it took me over 20 years to develop this style.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Referring to the art process I never had teachers or mentors. Thinking about life, without my parents and my wife who always believe in me, I would not be in the place I am right now. Regarding the art world, the person who deserves my special credit and gratitude is Angela King, the owner of the gallery in New Orleans. Few years ago Angela arrived in Belgium to visit me and see my works in real life in my studio. As a result of our meeting Angela believed in my art and was the first gallery owner to introduce my art to the USA collectors and also organized my first solo show ever in the USA in New Orleans. It was a crucial moment in my artistic career. Many new collectors did discover my art at Angela King Gallery and started to collect my art allowing me to keep creating my art and living the life I live. I also would like to thank other gallery owners I cooperate with and who support me and exhibit my art – Dave Ethridge, Shai Zemack and Octavio Almansa. In Denver, a significant role plays the Abend Gallery ( where you can see my art in real life ) nestled in the heart of Denver’s Golden Triangle district – 1261 Delaware St, Suite 2. I invite you to visit the gallery.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marcinowczarek.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcin_owczarek_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarcinOwczarekPhotography
• Twitter: https://x.com/MarcinOwczarek_
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClfzu4PVNRZuRxenAAwkTcg