Nowicki (1994) - Forget Me Not

In Forget Me Not, Nowicki presents a hauntingly introspective composition in which the human figure is intertwined with symbolic and natural elements. The subject emerges from a muted, atmospheric ground, her face turned slightly away, as if caught between presence and withdrawal. Behind her, a dark bird—likely a raven—rests in close proximity, its beak delicately holding a small sprig of pale blossoms. This quiet gesture introduces a subtle narrative, poised between offering and remembrance.

The figure’s body is rendered with a restrained palette, overlaid with branching, vein-like forms that traverse the surface of the skin. These organic lines suggest an internal network, evoking both fragility and interconnectedness, as though memory itself has taken on a physical structure. The contrast between the solidity of the figure and the ethereal tracery of these forms creates a tension between the visible and the unseen, the corporeal and the psychological.

Nowicki’s composition draws on the tradition of symbolic portraiture, where the figure becomes a vessel for layered meaning rather than mere likeness. The presence of the bird, long associated with omens and memory, alongside the delicate flowers—suggestive of remembrance—anchors the work in themes of transience, loss, and continuity. The painting unfolds as a quiet meditation on what is held, what fades, and what persists beneath the surface.

—

Nowicki (b. 1994, Poland) studied at the Państwowe Liceum Sztuk Plastycznych im. J. Pankiewicza in Katowice before graduating from the London College of Fashion. Working across painting and fashion, his practice is influenced by artists such as Zdzisław Beksiński and Olga Boznańska, as well as designers Philip Treacy and Alexander McQueen. His work has been exhibited in Katowice, Radomsko, and Warsaw.

—

Curated by Havisham & Co.
Instagram: @havishamco
Website: www.havishamco.com