Barbara Derecka
My work explores the vibrant intersections of colour, contrast, and human experience. Bold colour is my language, it allows me to express the intensity of emotions, the rhythm of cities, and the quiet power of landscapes. Each canvas is a layered response to the world around me, reflecting both its beauty and its challenges. Travel is one of my greatest inspirations. From the neon glow of Hong Kong’s streets to the fluid calm of underwater worlds, I translate the energy of different places into visual form. Cities, people, and natural environments all leave their mark on my practice, shaping compositions that are as much about memory and feeling as they are about observation. Sustainability and resilience also inform my work. I see painting as a way of drawing attention to the fragility of our planet and our shared responsibility to protect it. Encounters with inspirational people and significant events further influence my perspective, encouraging me to create art that resonates beyond the personal. Exhibiting across the UK has allowed me to share these visual conversations with a wide audience. I am continually inspired by how viewers find their own stories within my paintings, whether through colour, form, or the emotions they evoke. Ultimately, my work is about transformation: turning experience into image, emotion into colour, and contrast into connection. Each painting is an invitation to pause, reflect, and engage with the world in new and vivid ways.
He and She, Acrylic on Canvas, 100 cm x 100 cm, 2025
