Monika Lukowska is a Polish-born printmaking artist, educator and academic currently based in Perth, Western Australia. She lectures at Curtin University and represents Western Australia for the Print Council of Australia.

Monika’s work centres on the impact of place and its materiality on artistic expression. Through mindful walking and direct, physical engagement with her surroundings, she studies each location’s cultural markers, architecture, natural environment and tactile qualities. These immersive encounters shape her prints, which become emotive responses to both new and familiar landscapes and ask how atmosphere, memory and sensation can be embedded within a printed surface.

In her process, Monika gathers material in the form of photographs, drawings and video recordings, later integrating these references into her prints. She is particularly interested in the creative potential that arises from merging digital techniques with traditional printmaking methods.

http://www.monikalukowska.net

Interview with Monika Lukowska: Exploring Place and Materiality in Printmaking

Proartika: Monika, can you start by telling us about your background and how your artistic journey began?

Monika Lukowska: Certainly. I’m originally from Poland and trained in lithography at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Wrocław. From early on, I was interested in combining traditional printmaking techniques with emerging digital technologies. This blend of the old and new has shaped much of my practice, expanding printmaking beyond two-dimensional works into installations and large-format digital prints.

Proartika: Your work focuses heavily on the concept of place. How do you engage with place in your art?

Monika Lukowska: Place is central to my work​, both the physical environment and the cultural layers embedded within it. I use mindful walking and direct physical engagement to study the environment, its architecture, natural elements, and tactile qualities. These immersive experiences become the foundation for my prints, which are emotive responses that ask how atmosphere, memory, and sensation can be translated and embedded within a printed surface.

Proartika: What role does merging traditional and digital printmaking play in your creative process?

Monika Lukowska: Combining digital and traditional printmaking methods allows me to explore a wider range of textures and marks. For example, I layer scanned lithographs and drypoint etchings with digital photographic prints. This hybridity enriches the final work, creating complex, multi-sensorial surfaces that reflect the depth of my experiences with place.

Proartika: You recently completed a PhD at Curtin University exploring materiality and place. How has this influenced your work?

Monika Lukowska: The PhD gave me the opportunity to deepen my conceptual framework and return to traditional lithography with a fresh perspective. It was a time to reflect critically on my practice and explore how place and materiality interrelate. This academic exploration reinforced the importance of thoughtful research and conceptual development behind the work, guiding where I take my practice next.

Proartika: What advice would you give to emerging artists about sustaining their printmaking practice?

Monika Lukowska: Building and valuing relationships is crucial​, whether with peers, mentors, or community. Art can be isolating, so having a supportive network helps maintain motivation and growth. Also, it’s important to see as much art as possible, attend exhibitions, and not be afraid of rejection​, applying for grants and shows, even when challenging, helps artists find the right platforms for their work.

Proartika: Can you share some highlights from your career that were particularly formative?

Monika Lukowska: One memorable project was my master’s installation in Poland, involving hanging plexiglass pieces with projections​, a technical challenge but incredibly rewarding. More recently, I co-curated an international printmaking exhibition that explored digital technologies and AI as collaborators in printmaking, which provoked exciting conversations about the future of the medium.

Proartika: How do you balance your roles as an educator, researcher, and practicing artist?

Monika Lukowska: It’s a constant balancing act. Working full-time and pursuing my artistic projects requires discipline and setting goals, such as deadlines for exhibitions. Teaching and engaging with students also stimulates my practice. Having a personal studio space at home where I can experiment even with limited time has been a great asset.

​Proartika: Finally, how do you approach experimentation and concept development in your work?

​Monika Lukowska: Once you’ve mastered techniques, it’s vital to explore concepts and what you want to communicate through your art. Deep knowledge of your subject and immersive experiences are key​, whether walking in a landscape or researching a theme thoroughly. For me, research is as important as making; it shapes work that resonates meaningfully with both artist and audienc​e.

Proartika: Thank you Monika for sharing with us your artistic journey.
Monika Lukowska: Thank you.