If she could have it her way, Natalie Plociennik would live in a giant living bouncy castle. Instead, she brings a sense of whimsy and joy to her paintings – fantastical landscapes made of voluptuous biomorphic forms that envelop you like a comforting cocoon.
Growing up, Plociennik developed a fear of sharp objects due to her extreme propensity for bruising and feeling vulnerable in urban environments. These experiences inspired her to create organic living worlds that contrast the sterile flatness of technology and the utilitarian nature of commercialized objects and structures.
Natalie uses biomorphic and surreal methods to express her desire for safety, comfort, and love through tangible forms. She also uses automatic drawing and painting to explore new associations to nature. For example, her repetitive use of fractal forms as major subjects, have become personal symbols of growth, exploration, and resilience.
Bio
Plociennik’s artwork also exhibits underlying environmental themes, informed by her studies in Earth & Environmental Sciences and Sustainability at McMaster University. These works are visual playgrounds for the vast interactions and dependencies that exist within environments.
Outside of her practice, Natalie is a badminton club organizer, tutor, illustrator and graphic designer. She collaborates with bio-artists to produce creative science based visualizations for university and contemporary gallery exhibits. Plociennik regularly exhibits her work in local Toronto art fairs and galleries and recently had an international representation and exhibition in Manhattan, NYC at the Agora Gallery.
Artist Talk at Agora Gallery
Presentation at Agora Gallery, Chelsea, New York City
Recent Publications
Artist Interview - Canvas Rebel Magazine
Centennial College Grad Feature 2022
Artist Q&A with Fine Arts Studio Grad, Natalie Plociennik
Represented by Agora Gallery 2022-2023
Chelsea, New York City
Exhibition History
2023 - Love’s Surreal Garden - Solo Exhibition - Riverdale Hub, Toronto
2023 - Artist Project, Better Living Center - Exhibition Place, Toronto
2022 - Akin Winter Arts Market and Exhibition - Clark Arts Center, Scarborough
2022 - Akin Open Studios - Akin Stockyards, Toronto
2022 - Planetarium - Gallerium Online Exhibition
2022 - A Step Beyond Ordinary - Agora Gallery, Chelsea, New York City
2021 - “New Depths” - Scarborough Arts, Online
2021 - “Toronto Art Crawl” - The Bentway, Toronto
2021 - “Toronto Artisan Market” - Twist Gallery, Toronto
2021 - “Toronto Artisan Market” - Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto
2021 - “Artwalk in the Square “- Don Mills CF Shops, Toronto
2021 - “Riverdale Artwalk” - Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto
2021 - “Written on The Earth” - McIntosh Gallery, Western University
2021 - “Proximal Spaces” - Design TO, Toronto
2021 - “Big Bold Risk” - Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto
2021 - Beloved Community - Scarborough Arts - Online Artshow
2020 - “Grit and Glide” - Online Artshow
2020 - “Lay It On The Line” - At Origin Coffee, Toronto
2020 - “Love From A Distance” - At Origin Coffee, Toronto
2020 - “COVID - 19 Isolation Art” - Online Artshow
2019 - “Salon of Inclusiveness” - Black Cat Artspace
2019 - “The Age of Biotech” - North Carolina State University - Publications by Art The Science, Genetic Engineering and Society Center
2019 - “Disruption Series” - At Origin Coffee, Toronto
2019 - “Disrupted Worlds” - The White House Studio Project, Toronto
2019 - “Shapes of the Earth” - Caledon Maker Festival, Caledon
2019 - “Reverie Series” - At Origin Coffee, Toronto
2019 - “Corallicide” - Closet Gallery, Toronto
2019 - “Reverie” - Artist Network Gallery, Toronto (Declared a MUST SEE on NOW Magazine)
2019 - "Noh Mask" - Closet Gallery, Toronto
2019 - “Deep Sea Dancer” - Closet Gallery, Toronto
2018 - “Sea Light” - Centennial College’s Digital Gallery, Toronto
2018 - "Apartment 708 Maker Creatives" - Toronto Maker Festival, Toronto
2018 - "Dolores" - Closet Gallery, Toronto
2018 - "Formapale Edest" - Closet Gallery, Toronto
2017 - "Wait What" - Urban Gallery, Toronto
2017 - “Essence of Holism” - Beaux Arts, Brampton
Awards & Recognition
2019
Life On The Line TTC Campaign
1 of 20 winners from 350 art submissions, proceeds donated to CAMH Holiday Gift Program
2019
Award of Excellence
For top academic achievement at The School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design
2019
Brad Chapman and Family Communications, Media, Arts and Design Scholarship
The School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design
Education
2017-2019
High Honours Diploma in Fine Arts Studio Centennial College - Toronto, ON
Deans Award for Excellence
2011-2016
Honours Bachelors of Earth and Environmental Science - Minor in Sustainability
McMaster University - Hamilton, ON
Software Engineering (2011-2013)
Honours Award