izabela mnich portrait

photo. Magdalena Sabuda

Who Am I

A self-taught Polish painter.

Londoner by kind of choice.

A savage daughter of a savage mother and stoic father.

I grew up in a post-socialist Polish region called Upper Silesia - known as the “black heart of Poland” during the transformation. A land of coal mines, and large steel mills. In a place where people speak a unique dialect, painters paint magic realism where the air is among Europe's most polluted. A land where solidarity is valued, people work hard and the ethos of Silesian woman is present: a woman of character, full of charm and inexhaustible strength, prudence in words and behaviour—unquestioned authority in the family.

As a Pole, I have received full indoctrination of the catholic church but with no joy.

I create straightforward and unapologetic art.

Photography, smoking and procrastination are integral roles in my creative process. In my art, I explore social issues, feminism, body acceptance, sex, quirks and fetish which make us unique.

I like contrast, soap bubbles, sex, wine, oysters, playing badminton, puzzles, walking, painting, dancing at home alone, smoking, dinners with friends and family, mornings in bed with my cat Mr.Muk, potatoes.

I can’t stand coriander, the smell of palo santo, artistic nonsense, body parts no longer attached to the body, mess, upper light, and slow people in my way.

I’m afraid of balloons.