The Artist Behind the Canvas

About Marek Wilinski

Behind every painting Marek Wilinski creates lies a story of resilience, creativity, and a deep appreciation for life's quiet, beautiful moments.

Born in Poland during a time of political turmoil, Marek fled the restrictions of the Cold War in 1981, crossing into West Berlin and Austria before finding new beginnings in Melbourne with his wife, Elzbieta ("Ella"). The years that followed were dedicated to building a new life — working as a tiler, stonemason, and builder — while always nurturing a quiet passion for art.

By the mid-1990s, Marek shifted his focus fully toward painting. His emotionally charged, vividly textured works soon found an audience, leading to a national breakthrough when his art was selected by AMP for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games campaign, reaching over 10 million viewers.

Today, Marek’s life remains centered around creativity, connection, and a profound love of the natural world. He and Ella live with their three beloved dogs in a beautifully warm and welcoming home they have renovated and remodelled together countless times — currently reflecting a French Provincial aesthetic filled with light, character, and, naturally, Marek’s own paintings at every turn.

A passionate admirer of Australia's landscapes, Marek finds daily inspiration on long walks through the surrounding bushland, accompanied by Ella and their dogs. This deep connection to nature — the way light shifts through trees, the textures of earth and stone — continues to infuse his work with atmosphere and feeling.

At the heart of their home is Marek’s expansive studio — a space he designed and built himself from the ground up. Here, in a place filled with natural light, towering canvases, and the smell of paint and wood, Marek continues to explore new textures, colours, and stories.

Rather than chasing public spectacle, Marek has embraced a quieter, more personal model of engagement. His paintings are displayed almost permanently at leading galleries such as Town & Country Gallery and Manyung Gallery, and he welcomes serious collectors to private viewings at his studio — offering a direct, personal connection to the work and the world behind it.

Beyond his painting practice, Marek shares his passion for creativity through teaching. He leads acrylic painting classes at Oak Hill Gallery and in Beaumaris, fostering a supportive environment where artists of all levels can explore, experiment, and grow.

Marek Wilinski’s art is an invitation — a bridge between memory, emotion, and imagination. And behind every canvas is a life lived with heart, curiosity, and enduring love for the simple beauty of the world around him.