Interview with Maria Brzozowska: Contemporary Surrealism in Marquesa Gallery
On the occasion of her exhibition Magic in Bloom at Marquesa Gallery, we talked with Polish artist María Brzozowska about the concept that her work goes through, the process behind each piece and her particular way of exploring the transformation, femininity and power of the dream world.
About the exhibition and its concept
"Magic in Bloom" is an evocative title. What does it mean to you and how does it reflect in the works you present?
The Magic in Bloom title captures the essence of transformation. “Magic” refers to those invisible forces of change, those silent movements that mold us, while “flowering” is a metaphor for emergence, growth and self-discovery.
I have long been drawn to the symbolism of the garden, not just as a physical space, but as a place of memory, evolution and possibility. In this exhibition, each piece embodies a stage of inner flowering, as if we were passing through different portals within a surreal landscape. Inspired by folklore, literature, and the dreamlike nature of transformation, the works explore the magic present in growth — whether in nature, in oneself, or in those liminal spaces between the two.
Your paintings have a magical and dreamlike atmosphere. How do you create that dreamy feeling in your work?
The changing landscape of my works embodies the surrealist idea that transformation is a continuous and fluid process. The Surrealists believed that by exploring the irrational and dreamlike, we could access a deeper and more magical reality, a reality always in motion and never fixed. From this perspective, the magical and the everyday are not separate realms, but two sides of the same coin, united by the power of imagination. One feeds the other, reflecting a fundamental human need for both.
To create this sense of daydreaming, I dissolve the boundaries between reality and dream, blending the mystical with the tangible. Familiar elements such as figures, architecture or fragments of nature are placed in strange and unknown environments, evoking a sense of “strange familiarity”. This dissonance reflects the dream experience, where the known and the unknown merge in fluid harmony. Through colour, composition and symbolic motifs, I distort logic and perception, inviting the viewer into an imaginary world, one we used to visit in childhood. When we revisit it as adults, it brings a sense of nostalgia and security, like returning to a dream we once knew.
Floral Alchemist, 80 x 100 cm. Acrylic on canvas, 2025
Is there a theme or message you would like to highlight especially in this exhibition?
At Magic in Bloom I wanted to highlight the theme of transformation, using the surreal garden as a metaphor for growth, renewal and self-discovery. The garden, as a space where the boundaries between reality and imagination dissolve, reflects the cyclical nature of life and the constant process of becoming something else. Each piece explores how we leave behind old versions of ourselves to make way for new ones, just as nature flourishes and changes with the seasons.
At the heart of this exhibition is the female experience: resilience, intuition and those silent and often invisible forces that shape us. Flowering, in this context, becomes a symbol of the strength and magic that inhabit the female journey of transformation.
I also wanted to evoke the feeling of liminal spaces, those intermediate places where reality and dream intertwine. These works inhabit a space in which the known and the unknown coexist. This “strange familiarity” generates a dreamlike atmosphere that allows viewers to reconnect with their inner worlds, offering a moment of introspection, awe, and personal rebirth.
How does nature influence your work and what role does it play in this series?
Nature plays a key role in my work. It is a place where I find peace, inspiration and a deep connection to my creative process. I often turn to it for its colors, textures and rhythms, which nourish and shape the visual language of my paintings. In Magic in Bloom, my main inspiration came from observing the first signs of spring after winter: that subtle, silent emergence of life after a period of stillness.
The natural cycle, with its constant growth, detachment and renewal, reflects the themes of transformation and rebirth that are the core of this exhibition. I wanted to capture the magic and fragility of those moments when nature awakens unexpectedly and almost dreamily, inviting the viewer to reflect on their own cycles of growth and self-discovery.
Kingdom of leaves, 40 x 60 cm. Acrylic on canvas, 2025
About the creative process
How does a new work start for you? Do you follow a defined process or leave room for improvisation?
My process begins with the creation of a purely abstract background. I select a palette of two or three main colors and their variations, which sets the tone of the work. This stage is very intuitive and playful: it embraces spontaneity and even errors, allowing unexpected textures and shapes to emerge.
From there, I begin to sketch the image and narrative that will be developed on the canvas. The lines and textures of the background guide me, shaping the dreamlike scenes that appear. Although I start from an initial vision, ideas usually evolve organically throughout the process, giving rise to new elements and unplanned layers. This balance between structure and improvisation keeps my work flowing, allowing for discovery and transformation in every piece.
What techniques and materials did you use in this exhibition? Was there anything different from your previous work?
In this exhibition I worked with acrylic paint and oil. It was the first time I incorporated oil into my process, which allowed me to experiment with richer textures and a distinct sense of depth. I also explored larger formats, including 100 × 140 cm canvases, and made a diptych (140 × 200 cm) for the first time.
Working with diptychs was an exciting change: expanding a story through several canvases generates a sense of continuity and expansion, as in the narrative structures of the works of El Bosco. This approach allowed me to explore the interconnection of my images in a new way, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in compositions that function as evolving worlds, rather than isolated moments.
Primordium awakening, 140 x 200 cm. Mixed media on canvas, 2025
Are there any artists or artistic movements that have particularly influenced this series?
Magic in Bloom’s surreal garden is deeply influenced by female surrealist artists who transformed the natural world into territories of mystery and inner exploration. The mystical landscapes and enchanted forests of Remedios Varo inspire the idea of travel through changing and transformative spaces. Leonora Carrington’s dream scenes, populated by mythical creatures and ethereal women, explore femininity, identity and the subconscious in a magical and intimate way.
The fantastic depictions of women in Dorothea Tanning’s work spark curiosity and a desire for self-discovery, while the enigmatic female figures of Leonor Fini embody strength and mystery, connecting with the idea of flourishing as both an external and internal metamorphosis. In addition, the intricate narrative of El Bosco has influenced my way of composing. His ability to interweave multiple stories into a single painting inspired me to create interconnected worlds, where distinct scenes unfold simultaneously, inviting a non-linear and immersive experience.
On Symbolism and Interpretation
Your work has a strong narrative component. Are you interested in telling specific stories or do you prefer to leave room for the viewer’s interpretation?
I prefer to create small interconnected narratives within each image, allowing multiple layers of meaning to emerge. As in the works of El Bosco, which invite the viewer to discover hidden stories, I build dream worlds where different moments coexist, fostering an immersive and non-linear experience.
My work is inspired by magical realism, where familiar elements are placed in unexpected contexts, blurring the line between the real and the imagined. Instead of telling a closed story, I create open spaces that invite personal interpretation. Each work unfolds as a visual poem, where meaning is not fixed, but revealed through contemplation, allowing the viewer to connect their experiences and emotions with the themes.
The Sisterhood of the Magic Forest, Detail
Your use of color is very distinctive. How do you choose your palette and what meaning does it have in this exhibition?
I spend a lot of time observing and analyzing paintings that inspire me, studying the chromatic relationships and how they interact in composition. I develop my own palettes through experimentation, overlap and mixing, to generate depth and atmosphere. Although my choices are intentional, there is also a lot of discovery. I let the colors guide the process and unexpected harmonies arise.
My approach is based on color theory, using contrasts and relationships to emphasize or fuse elements as needed. Some tones generate tension, while others dissolve the forms in their environment, reinforcing the dreamlike quality of the whole. Color becomes more than an aesthetic decision: it defines the environment, the emotions of the piece and the connections between its different narratives.
In this collection, I wanted the color to convey the essence of spring. After the dull palette of winter, the first vibrant buds bring a powerful sense of hope and renewal. I tried to reflect this energy through green, blue and pink tones, evoking both the freshness of nature and the feeling of awakening.
Femininity is a recurring theme in your work. How do you explore it on Magic in Bloom?
Femininity is central to Magic in Bloom, and I explore it from both personal and collective transformation. The exhibition is in the tradition of women artists who have reclaimed their narratives, using art to express the complexity of the female experience. Although recognition of Surrealists has grown only in recent years, their works have always been essential in the evolution of art. These women turned the personal into universal symbols of growth, power, and rebirth. I draw inspiration from that tradition to highlight the female journey towards self-knowledge and evolution.
Nectar City, 60 x 60 cm. Acrylic on canvas, 2025
Here, femininity is manifested through the metaphor of the garden: a space of continuous growth and transformation. Like the surrealists who used botanical imagery to explore life, death and rebirth, I use the garden to represent those psychological and emotional spaces where the female self can flourish and evolve without external constraints. The figures of my works represent different stages of female transformation, transiting spaces that allow interior realization, freedom and empowerment.
The surreal garden of my work is a metaphor for the feminine unconscious, a place where desires, dreams and emotions are nurtured. These shapes and figures are not just symbols of growth, but of freedom to embrace change. In this exhibition, femininity is presented as a continuous and constantly evolving process, where growth has no limits and new possibilities of expression and empowerment are opened.
Melancholia's garden, 140 x 100 cm. Mixed media on canvas, 2025
Future projects
What has it meant for you to exhibit at Marquesa Gallery and do it during Art Week in Madrid?
This exhibition marks a key moment in my artistic journey, as it comes after a stage of introspection and creative silence. It has given me the space and freedom to materialize all the ideas I have been cultivating. It was, personally, a transition from winter to spring. After a long time observing and reflecting in silence, this exhibition allowed me to channel these inner experiences into something tangible.
The gallery and the context of the Art Week in Madrid offered the perfect environment to explore new possibilities and take risks with my work, expanding limits. It’s been an incredible opportunity to turn emotions and ideas into a coherent body of work, and I’m deeply grateful to share it with such a dynamic audience.
Inauguration Magic in Bloom
What made this experience even more special was the collaboration with the Marquesa Gallery team. We worked very closely to bring a shared vision to life, and that sense of fellowship made the whole process truly meaningful. The opening was also a fantastic moment: watching the audience interact with my works, ask questions, stop at the details... It was a reminder of why I create art. As an artist, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing people connect with your work and embark on their own journey of discovery through it.
What projects do you have in mind after Magic in Bloom? Is there anything new you would like to explore in your art?
Create, create, create — that’s the momentum that Magic in Bloom has left me. This exhibition has given me back the spark, that certainty that I am on the right path. It has reminded me of the power of creation and reignited my enthusiasm. I have a lot of ideas, and now I feel it’s time to shape them, to organize them and turn them into something concrete.
One area I want to continue exploring is the imagery and narrative of folklore. The symbolism and mystique of folklore is deeply inspiring to me, and I feel that much remains to be discovered in that universe. I am excited to delve into how these stories can evolve within my work. Beyond that, I am open to new ideas and experiences that may arise. There is always something new to discover, and I want to keep pushing the boundaries of my artistic practice.