lens-based art - author's page

about

Izabela Nowak is a lens-based Polish visual artist. She explores themes of time, memory, longing, and connections.
Drawing inspiration from science and nature, she investigates the essence of human existence, the fragility of life, and the interplay between the physical and metaphysical worlds.

Her collages and abstract works challenge conventional perspectives, examining the intricate relationships between space and time to uncover new insights.
Through photography, her work transcends mere depiction, inviting introspection, fostering connections, and engaging the viewer’s imagination.
Employing diverse methods such as alternative photographic techniques, archival exploration, and collage, her practice pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling. Her artistic contributions have gained recognition on the international stage, with her work featured at photography festivals (EMOP Berlin, Zrno Skopje, Fotofestival Łódź) and group exhibitions.
Her book, Running Up That Hill, in 2018 received acclaim at the Encontros da Imagem self-made Book Award in Braga, Portugal, and was shortlisted for the self-made Book Award in Riga, Latvia.

She holds a Master’s degree from the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) and completed postgraduate studies in Cultural Studies at the University of Warsaw. Graduated from the European Academy of Photography in Warsaw. A member of the Association of Polish Art Photographers (ZPAF), she lives and works in Warsaw. 


Izabela Nowak to artystka wizualna specjalizująca się w mediach opartych na fotografii. W swojej twórczości porusza tematy czasu, pamięci.

Czerpiąc inspirację z nauki i natury, bada istotę ludzkiego istnienia, kruchość życia oraz złożoną zależność między światem fizycznym a metafizycznym. Jej prace skłaniają do refleksji i pobudzając wyobraźnię.
Eksperymentując z medium, stosując kolaże, alternatywne techniki, kwestionując konwencjonalne spojrzenie na fotografię.
Jej sztuka zdobyła międzynarodowe uznanie dzięki udziałowi w wystawach zbiorowych oraz festiwalach, takich jak Europejski Miesiąc Fotografii w Berlinie (EMOP), Międzynarodowy Fotofestiwal w Łodzi czy Międzynarodowy Festiwal Fotografii Alternatywnej Zrno w Macedonii.
Książka Running Up That Hill została wyróżniona na festiwalu Encontros da Imagem w Portugalii oraz w konkursie Riga Self-Made Book Awards w Łotwie.
Jej prace były publikowane w magazynach fotograficznych, miedzy innymi w Revue Macaroni, Float Magazine, Kwartalnik Fotografia, Analog Forever czy dienacht.

Posiada tytuł magistra zdobyty w Szkole Głównej Handlowej (SGH) w Warszawie, studiowała także Kulturoznawstwo na Uniwersytecie Warszawskim oraz ukończyła Europejską Akademię Fotografii w Warszawie. Jest członkinią Związku Polskich Artystów Fotografików (ZPAF), mieszka oraz pracuje w Warszawie.


selected group exhibitions

2025

October –  running up that hill – slideshow, Foto Art Festival, Bielsko-Biała, Poland
June – dreamers, Przedwiośnie, group exhibition, BWA Gallery – Kielce, Poland
June – There is another Earth called Mars,  LIMBES Gallery – Photobook Exhibition, Zines of the Zone, Saint-Etienne, France
March –  running up that hill – slideshow, Rzeczna Art Gallery, Rybnik Foto Festiwal, Poland
February –  Parallel Realities, Kommunale Galerie, EMOP, Berlin, Germany


2024

December – The view is beautiful, Art Fair, Old Gallery ZPAF, Warsaw, Poland
December – Collage Notes, Espace Canopy Gallery, Paris, France 
October – particles of existence – For the absent ones. Tribute to Bogdan Konopka, Mayor’s House Gallery, Gdynia, Poland

July – dreamers, National Gallery of Macedonia – Multimedia Center, Mala Stanica, Skopje, Macedonia
May – Museum Night, running up that hill, screening, Old Gallery ZPAF, Warsaw, Poland


2023

September – particles of existence – For the absent ones. Tribute to Bogdan Konopka, Karwacjan’s Manor Art Gallery, Gorlice, Poland
July – There is another Earth called Mars, The House of Army Gallery, Grain – International festival of alternative photography, Bitola, Macedonia

July – There is another Earth called Mars, La Gaterie – Photobook Exhibition,  Zines of the Zone, La Roche S/Yon, France
July – There is another Earth called Mars, Disparate Gallery – Photobook Exhibition, Zines of the Zone, Bordeaux, France
June – There is another Earth called Mars, National Gallery of Macedonia – Multimedia Center, Mala Stanica, Skopje, Macedonia

June – particles of existence – For the absent ones. Tribute to Bogdan Konopka,  E. Haneman Photography Gallery, Łódź Fotofestival, Poland 

other

2020 Correspondance, Virtual Rooms, The Photographers’ Gallery, UK
2016 Eyes on Main Street, Outdoor Photo Festival, Wilson, USA
2015 The EVIDENCE of Slideluck, FORMAT Festival, Derby, UK
2014 One, New Artist Fair – Brick Lane Gallery, London, UK
2013 Obecność Pośród Nieobecnych, Dom Polsko-Słowacki, Gorlice, Poland


awards

2025

There is another Earth called Mars, Talent Of The Year 2025 – honorable mention, Pix.House, Poznań, Poland
dreamers, Gold Winner in Fine Art category – Analog Sparks Award
dreamers, Przedwiośnie, BWA Gallery – Kielce, Poland

2018

Book running up that hill, highilghted at self-made Book Award in the Encontros da Imagem in Braga, Portugal
and shortlisted for the self-made Book Award in Riga, Latvia

 

publications

Photo Trouvée Magazine #16 2025, FLOAT Magazine – Imperfect Poetry, #2024, Revue Macaroni #1 Origins 2024, Suboart Magazine #16 2024, Analog Forever Magazine Inscrutable 2023,  Contemporary Collage Magazine #16, dienacht Magazine, F-Stop Magazine #73, Shots Magazine #123


other links

running up that hill –  review by dienacht Magazine
running up that hill – book review by David Gibson 

Izabela Nowak. © 2025