CONNECTED BY ART

Connected by Art — an association of four talented Polish Swedish women artists based in Stockholm — proves that creativity knows no borders, and that Polish art can flourish even in the heart of Scandinavia. The group is formed by Lucyna Wachnicka, Halina Bartoszek-Rosa, Marzena Doberhof-Platin, and Katarina Dymarek.

Each member brings her own unique artistic perspective to the collective projects, making Connected by Art an inspiring example of the power of creative collaboration, mutual support, and cultural integration. Art has always been a bridge connecting cultures, emotions, and people. In today’s world, where borders are becoming increasingly fluid, artistic initiatives abroad gain special meaning — showing how art can transcend barriers and create new shared spaces.

This is not just a group of individual talents, but a strong community of women who support one another and co-create a space for Polish art in Scandinavia. They organize exhibitions, workshops, fashion shows, and social projects, transforming art into a tool of integration and education.

Their creativity reveals how different worlds can intertwine: Scandinavian minimalism meets Polish expressiveness; the cool tones of the North contrast with the warmth of Polish art. And yet this fusion works perfectly — Polish women bring new energy and perspective into the Swedish art scene.

Each artist contributes her own experience and skills to the group, creating works that reflect both their Polish roots and the Swedish cultural context.

Halina Bartoszek Rosa, artistically known as The Rose of Podhale, is an artist, designer, publicist, publisher, and founder of the brand Halina Rosa Design, which in 2026 evolves into Royal Rosa Couture. She creates original textiles and fashion collections inspired by the culture of Poland’s Podhale region and Sweden’s Dalarna, as well as by folk art from around the world — blending tradition with contemporary design.

“I create from the heart, so that art can become a bridge between people, cultures, and generations,” says Halina.

The artist is a laureate of numerous prestigious international awards, including Women Changing the World (Windsor, 2024) in the categories Women in Media and Women in Sustainability 2025. Halina is also the founder of the Halina Rosa Foundation for the Support of Culture and International Cooperation and the global magazine DESIGNER, which promotes the work of artists and designers in the spirit of sustainable development. Her hand-painted Kimono DESERT ROSE was on the auction list supporting the World Childhood Foundation, an organization founded by HM Queen Silvia.

Katarina Dymarek has been creating three-dimensional paintings since 1988, drawing most of her inspiration from nature. She has developed her own unique technique, in which compositions are created on canvas using various types of fabrics. The works are complemented with acrylics, spray paint, and other materials. Most of Katarina’s paintings are abstract, and although the artist gives them titles that hint at her perception, she leaves the interpretation to the viewer.

“When I paint, I experience a great sense of harmony within myself. Bright colors create us — they make people happy and energetic, and I want my paintings to stimulate imagination and evoke emotions,” explains Katarina.

Katarina also creates jewelry with a wide variety of colors and shapes. In this case as well, she uses natural materials such as stones, wood, beads, and various recycled elements, giving them new life. She also designs dresses, which, along with her art and jewelry, are showcased on her website dymarekart.com. For many years, Katarina has regularly participated in artistic projects and has held numerous solo and group exhibitions, including several juried shows.

Lucyna “Lucy” Wachnicka is an artist and freelance illustrator based in Södertälje, Sweden. A strong connection to nature, sustainability, and mindfulness characterizes her work. She began her artistic journey at a young age at Kulturskolan and later resumed her studies as an adult at Folkuniversitetet in 2016. She is a certified freelance illustrator. Wachnicka emphasizes the “slow process” of creation, often using recycled or discarded materials for inspiration. 

Recent Activities & Exhibitions-Spring Time med Connected by Art (2025). She was featured in this exhibition alongside other artists, focusing on the dialogue between nature and humanity. She participated in the “Polsk sommar i Stockholm” event at the Maritime Museum (Sjöhistoriska museet), which included folk fashion displays. She was involved with events supporting the World Childhood Foundation, an organization founded by HM Queen Silvia. Her professional portfolio is maintained on platforms such as Artportable.  Her practice includes traditional painting, textile design, and natural botanical dyeing using plants and water.

Marzena Doberhof-Platin is a Stockholm-based self-taught artist known for her modernist and geometric abstract work. She has developed a distinctive visual language rooted in modernist painting, with strong influences from 1960s and 1970s brutalist architecture — a style she lived with during her early years in communist Poland. In her work, Marzena often uses acrylic and mixed media as well as collage and assemblage, creating compositions that play with form, geometry, color, and structure. Her stylized architectural motifs with clean, controlled lines suggest a desire to bring order and harmony into experience, while vibrant color palettes serve as emotional counterpoints to their structured forms.

Her artistic inspiration draws from architecture, philosophy, and metaphysics, reflecting deep thought about space, perception, and the human condition. Marzena’s pieces have been exhibited both in Sweden and abroad, and she maintains a presence in Stockholm’s contemporary art scene.

Connected by Art is not only a presentation of individual talents but also a shared space for collaboration and creative exchange. Together, the artists organize exhibitions, workshops, and cultural projects that foster artistic development, sustainability, and intercultural understanding. Through these activities, the group strengthens the dialogue between Poland and Sweden, showing how art can serve as a bridge between traditions and perspectives.

As part of their mission, Connected by Art also undertakes social projects in which art serves as a tool for community engagement and dialogue. Their workshops not only encourage participants to explore their own creativity but also introduce them to Polish culture and artistic traditions. Such initiatives show how art can inspire social change, education, and integration.

Connected by Art is more than a collective of artists — it is a living example of how art unites different cultures and perspectives, creating space for dialogue and exchange. Their works are reflections of individual journeys, yet together they form a shared voice that transcends borders. The group demonstrates that art truly knows no boundaries and has the power to build community and inspire positive change in society.

Explore more:

Marzena Doberhof-Platin

Lucyna Wachnicka – Lucy Art

Halina Bartoszek Rosa

Katarina Dymarek

🔗 Instagram: connectedbyart.se