An Interview with Agnieszka Lokaj: Visual Abstract Artist and December Member of the Month

Agnieszka Lokaj – Artist Feature – VAA Member of the Month December 2025

Agnieszka is a professional artist who has only just recently delved into her passion full-time. Having been creative as a child, she drifted away to establish a career as a product and user-experience lead for a digital agency. Although, she enjoyed her time, she found she didn’t have much time for creatively expressing herself.

15 years ago, she discovered her love for painting again. Starting as a hobby, her flatmate suggested she enter her work in Sky’s Landscape Painter of the Year. She very quickly went from painting in private – and not showing her work to anyone, besides close friends – to painting and being interviewed in front of cameras. This gave her the confidence and encouragement to explore painting more in her spare time.

After being made redundant from her job, Agnieszka felt a low point, and although touched on going back to work full-time, she instead immersed herself into painting, creating a very cathartic experience. As someone with ADHD, she was very aware of her emotions, around anxiety, self-esteem, and imposter syndrome, including in her art. However, locking herself in her studio for two months and focusing on exploring her creativity did wonders for her mental health and wellbeing. She decided to keep moving forward with this Momentum and got herself out the studio and engaging with the local arts and creative communities.

Agnieszka realised it was time to bring her vision to life, and treat her art, not only as a passion, but as a business. As well as joining the VAA, she joined Re: Create Richmond – a local organisation that supports creatives with tailored business expertise and mentoring, as well as collecting you with fellow creative across the area. That encouragement and support changed everything.

“It hasn’t always been easy. As an aspiring artist, you have to enter lots of open calls and face potential rejection constantly. But I quickly discovered that once you take yourself out of your shell, there’s a lot of support you can find as an artist.”

Agnieszka’s style has evolved from realistic landscape to abstract expression; her core purpose has been to create art that reflects the human experience. Often exploring the tension between figuration and abstraction, she is interested in ‘our shadow selves’ – the things that we hide from ourselves. She finds herself drawn to working with reflections and mirrors, as they invite us to look deeper in ourselves.

To discover more about her work head to her website and follow her on Instagram: https://agalokaj.art/ / @aga.lokaj.art

I usually paint with acrylics and oils on canvas or canvas boards. I’m very aware of how my neurodiversity both colours and is a driving force in my creative journey. It actually lets me hyper-focus and explore multiple ideas simultaneously.

My painting is characterised by bold, dynamic brushstrokes and expressive paint drips, balanced with dynamic rhythmic patterns, scratches, and mark-making with a palette knife. They often start out as realistic pieces, before I obsessively deconstruct them into abstract forms – revealing some elements, and concealing other elements as hidden layers in the process

I’ve always been inspired by our connection to the world: how we connect to nature, how we connect to other people, what we hide and what we show. So, my work often has lots of hidden layers. I love exploring natural forces: how light reflects off objects, and how dynamic colour can be.

My ‘Mountains’ collection aimed to capture the awe-inspiring grandeur and tranquillity of the Alps and Himalayas, while my ‘Golden Hour’ collection was inspired by the sunset over the Thames, where the warm hues of sunset dance across the water, inviting the viewer to unwind and recharge.

I’m passionate about the idea of resilience: particularly for women, and especially in sports and art. Those are two areas where women – particularly those who are neurodiverse, or with marginalised voices – remain massively underrepresented.

Resilience was one of the topics I talked about a lot with my mentors. As an artist, as a woman, and through my experience of ADHD, I’m passionate about the idea of female strength and resilience in a world where women – particularly those who are neurodiverse, or with marginalised voices – remain underrepresented in so many walks of life, but especially in sports and art.

I’ve been there as a young girl and a young woman. I know how hard it is in general in life – but especially when you’re on the neurodiverse spectrum – to feel the anxiety and imposter syndrome of not connecting with the world; with other people not understanding you. So, anything I can do to share my story and help other young girls and women to find their voice is important to me.

In my career, I also used to work with sporting organisations, so I’ve always had huge admiration for how athletes stay strong to achieve success – especially when that can be defined by recovery from injury or having to go the extra yard or mile in career-defining moments that can just last a few seconds. And that’s what inspired me to set up my latest project: Touchlines of Fortitude.

Working with my mentors gave me the courage and inspiration to turn my art and my passion for exploring the idea of female resilience into something real. Through them, I discovered I could – and needed to – treat my art as a business, as well as a passion.

What is your creative process? What outlook guides you?

Beth Gintner Headshot

Tell us more about your latest project: Touchlines of Fortitude

Colette Lilley Artwork

Touchlines of Fortitude is a project that’s really close to my heart and grew from my love of both art and sport, and from the belief that they are powerful tools for wellbeing and mental health. In today’s world we all need ways to process emotions, build confidence and feel supported, and creative expression and physical activity both offer exactly that. Painting, creating and movement through sport give people a chance to reflect, release and reconnect with themselves and others.

Running alongside the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, Touchlines of Fortitude used the intersecting lenses of sport and art to champion stories of female strength, resilience, empowerment, creativity and expression, celebrate underrepresented voices, and amplifying women’s untold or unheard stories. Through this, our aim was to create a space where female artists, athletes and local residents can all share their experiences of courage, determination and connection

So, with Touchlines of Fortitude, we put together a comprehensive and vibrant programme of exhibitions, community events and school outreach in Twickenham and Teddington this past September.

With Touchlines of Fortitude, I’ve taken my interest in creating art that reflects human experience a step further by drawing inspiration from women’s rugby. I wanted to celebrate female strength and resilience through art, rugby, and storytelling, and to create opportunities for the local community to engage with these themes. I was even lucky enough to watch the Red Roses train recently – I tried to sketch them, though they were moving a little too fast! That energy, power, and sense of unity is exactly what I hope to capture in this new collection.

Ultimately, I believe art should be accessible, as well as engaging, extending the boundaries of audience participation. So, through this project I was really excited about being able to engage my local community and share my passion for talking about female resilience.

For me, artistic success isn’t about sales or recognition, though those things can be encouraging. Success is when my work genuinely connects with someone – when a painting sparks reflection, conversation, or even a small shift in perspective.

It’s also about staying true to my own practice: continuing to explore, experiment, and push my ideas further. If I can balance that personal growth with creating work that resonates with others, while also building projects like Touchlines of Fortitude that engage the wider community, then I feel I’m succeeding as an artist.

What is your definition of artistic success?

Beth Gintner Art on Wall

What are some of the accomplishments you are most proud of? What are some of the highlights from the past 12 months?

Beth Gintner Art on Wall

I’m really proud that one of my paintings was selected for the poster and catalogue cover of the Friends 2025 Exhibition at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. It felt like such a recognition of my work, especially as someone who came to art later in life.

Being long-listed for the 2024 Women in Art Emerging Artist Prize and the 2024 and 2025 Visual Art Open for emerging artists also felt like real validation of my practice. And of course, I’m hugely excited to have just been long-listed for the Visual Artists Association’s 2025 Artist of the Year Award.

I’ve also stepped into the role of curator, most recently leading the Spring Tide: A New Wave of Art exhibition at Magan Gallery in Tooting, which was part of Wandsworth’s London Borough of Culture programme in 2025.

And now, curating Touchlines of Fortitude is something I feel especially proud of. It’s the most ambitious project I’ve taken on so far, bringing together exhibitions, talks, a mural, and workshops to celebrate female resilience through art and rugby. Balancing the organisational side with my own painting practice has been a challenge, but seeing the project take shape – and the community beginning to engage with it – has been hugely rewarding.

For me, these moments stand out not just because of personal achievement, but because they show how art can reach wider audiences and spark conversations that matter. Over the last 12 months, things have really started to accelerate. My work was also exhibited at Guildford House Gallery and Brighton Art Fair.

Balancing art as a business, as well as a passion – and running bigger creative projects alongside maintaining my art practice – has been hard work over the last few months. There are lots of elements that are still unknown. As an artist, you’ve never quite sure where your next pay check is coming from. Now that art is my plan A, I probably no longer have a plan B!

But, right now, I’ve never been more creatively fulfilled. I’m creating a new life and a new career. I’m part of a thriving community of inspiring fellow creatives, and now – through Touchlines of Fortitude – I’ve had the chance to put something of my passion for art and my passion for exploring the theme of resilience to inspire women of all ages, and especially young girls, back into my local community.

The best advice I’ve had is to trust the process and just keep showing up, even when things feel uncertain. That’s been especially true with Touchlines of Fortitude, which has so many moving parts – exhibitions, talks, workshops. It’s reminded me that resilience isn’t just something I paint about, it’s something I must live and practice too.

Of course, showing up can sometimes feel like the hardest part, because every painting ends up revealing something about myself. That’s why I love Tracey Emin’s words: “That’s all you have to do in life to be successful: just make your work and believe in what you do.” It’s so real and simple. Whenever I get caught up in expectations or comparisons, I come back to that thought – it keeps me grounded in creating honestly and making the work I feel needs to exist.

And I must mention Karen van Hoey Smith, who encouraged me to apply for Arts Council funding – I can blame her for all the events I’m now delivering!

As someone who came to art later in life, these reminders mean a lot. They’ve taught me that there’s no single “right” path – it’s consistency, openness, and resilience that really matter.

What are the biggest obstacles you’ve faced when improving your arts profession? What’s the one piece of advice that has helped you the most?

Beth Gintner Art on Wall

What Career Goal is your current priority? How has the VAA helped your journey so far?

Beth Gintner Art on Wall

I’ve been mostly focused on making my new Touchlines of Fortitude exhibition a success. I love the fact that I’m getting the chance to showcase aspiring, emerging or unknown artists via our open-call exhibition, as well as getting an opportunity to engage with – and put something back into – my local community through the workshops, talks and school outreach we’ll be running.

I’m particularly looking forward to seeing what exhibition visitors put on our interactive ‘Wall Of Fortitude’ installation, and getting the chance to hear other people’s stories about how they’ve overcome the problems that life throws at us, and how we can collectively build a more positive approach to fortitude and mental wellbeing.

But it’s also opening up lots of interesting opportunities and ideas for the future. Being able to connect with other artists and small business owners within the community has been hugely satisfying. It creates a sense of community, support and shared understanding about the challenges we face, and opportunities we can foster by working together. We can exchange ideas, learn from each other’s experiences, and celebrate each other’s successes.

I’ve been able to work with Gina DeCagna and Tahira Mandarino, two artists in my area who I admire, as well as connecting with art critic Tabish Khan and figurative artist Karen Turner as judges for Touchlines of Fortitude’s open-call exhibition.

I hope Touchlines of Fortitude will become more than a project. So, working with my best friend I’ve created Fortitude Arts: a non-profit company designed to empower women to build resilience, confidence and community through a fusion of arts and sport. I want this to be a movement that celebrates women’s stories, nurtures wellbeing through art and sport, and builds a community where resilience, creativity and empowerment can flourish. 

I have been a member of the Visual Artist Association for over a year now and have to say the support and community feel I got was amazing. I try to attend most free online Art Cafe sessions which were amazing help for all artists – from running an Instagram account, to how to photograph our artwork and tips on having successful art fairs – these have been really valuable. We need to learn so many new skills as artists!

I have also taken some amazing courses, my favourite were: Art Sales Academy and Art Curation & Exhibition Management. These courses were amazing, and it was great to share our experiences with other artists.

The VAA Facebook group is also a place where I can ask any questions I have, sometimes about art exhibitions or transporting artworks, this art community is supportive and fun.

I’ve really benefited from the one-to-one mentoring with Karen van Hoey Smith. She’s an amazing mentor and a great supporter of all artists. Plus, her bouncy energy is really inspiring.

Working with her gave me the courage and inspiration to turn my passion for exploring female resilience in art and sport into something real with Touchlines of Fortitude. Karen suggested I apply for Arts Council England funding for Touchlines of Fortitude, and I was speechless when I was successful with my grant application. It was key to bringing the exhibitions and events to life and has been confidence-inspiring to feel that other people understand, empathise with, and share my vision.

Is there anything you would like to say to the artist you were a year ago?

If I had to go back and talk to myself a year ago, I’d say don’t hold back. Don’t limit yourself to the studio. Get out there. It’s hard to have that confidence to show your work and expose yourself and your emotions around it to others. But, first, you’ll be amazed by the support you get from strangers in your local creative community, how open and accepting they’ll be, and how quickly they’ll become friends and fellow creatives.

Then, don’t be afraid to get advice about how to turn your passion from art into a livelihood. It’s not a natural thing for creatives to talk about practical and rational business objectives, but it does matter. It focuses your attention, it gives you purpose, self-validation and confidence. Equally, finding experts and mentors in the industry who’ve been on that journey – who understand the creativity of artists, but also understand the practicalities of running a business – is important. That outside perspective can help you find and focus on the things that have been inside of you all along. That helps you focus on the things that matter, while also actually letting you take more risks and experiment more

 

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