Biography & Exhibitions

Marek Wilinski has spent more than three decades cultivating a powerful presence within the contemporary art world. His paintings — vivid, atmospheric, and emotionally charged — resonate far beyond the canvas, inviting viewers into richly textured worlds that transcend easy categorization. Balancing technical mastery with instinctive expression, Marek’s work continues to captivate discerning collectors and art lovers across Australia and internationally.

A defining moment in his career came when Marek’s paintings were selected by AMP for a major advertising campaign during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. This national exposure propelled his career dramatically, sparking strong demand across Australia and igniting significant international interest.

Marek’s paintings are held in prestigious private collections across Australia, Europe, and North America. From London to Berlin, Zurich to Singapore, his works have found homes with collectors who often assemble substantial dedicated holdings — a testament to the emotional resonance and lasting value of his art.

While best known for his emotionally charged figurative paintings, Marek’s creative range is expansive and continually evolving. Beyond the canvas, he explores three-dimensional forms through sculpture, crafting and elaborately painting bottles, jugs, and figures — including a remarkable hand-crafted orchestra of over thirty individual musicians.

His technical mastery is further evident in his reinterpretations of classical masterpieces, including a meticulously scaled version of Caravaggio’s Bacchus, a nuanced adaptation of Narcissus, and an ambitious large-scale recreation of Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring (enlarged from its original 44.5 cm × 39 cm to [insert final scaled size here]).

Each project reflects Marek’s profound respect for the classical tradition, his extraordinary eye for detail, and his limitless creative drive — qualities that continue to distinguish his practice across multiple disciplines and generations of collectors.

Today, Marek’s work enjoys a near-permanent presence at leading galleries, including Town & Country Gallery in Yarragon and Manyung Gallery across multiple Melbourne locations — two of Victoria’s most respected destinations for contemporary Australian art. Having long surpassed the need for traditional solo exhibitions, he now embraces a more personal model of engagement, welcoming collectors directly into his private studio and offering new works to an established global clientele. His reputation speaks for itself — built on artistic integrity, critical recognition, and the enduring passion of those who collect his work.

Exhibitions

  • 1998–1999 – Town & Country Gallery, Yarragon, Victoria
    A gallery at the heart of Gippsland’s thriving regional arts scene.

  • 2000

    • Michael Commerford Gallery, Sydney
      A respected South Yarra gallery fostering contemporary Australian painters.

    • Fine Art Consultancy, Melbourne and London
      An international platform connecting Australian artists to European audiences.

    • Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza, Victoria
      A landmark Victorian gallery established in 1968, representing leading contemporary artists.

  • 2001

    • Michael Commerford Gallery, Sydney

    • Fine Art Consultancy, Melbourne and London

    • Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza, Victoria

    • Town & Country Gallery, Yarragon, Victoria

  • 2002

    • Fine Art Consultancy, Melbourne and London

    • Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza, Victoria

  • 2003

    • Michael Commerford Gallery, Sydney

    • MG Rover Art Event, Melbourne
      A curated celebration of design and fine art excellence.

    • Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza, Victoria

  • 2004

    • Artistry Galleries, Melbourne
      Known for championing progressive Australian contemporary art.

  • 2005

    • Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza, Victoria

  • 2006

    • Gasworks Arts Park, Albert Park, Melbourne
      A cultural cornerstone for contemporary and experimental art.

    • Lynne Wilton Gallery, Armadale, Melbourne
      An elegant gallery space in Melbourne’s prestigious art precinct.

    • Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza, Victoria

  • 2007

    • Town & Country Gallery, Yarragon, Victoria

    • Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza, Victoria

  • 2008

    • Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza, Victoria

  • 2009

    • Town & Country Gallery, Yarragon, Victoria

    • Collins Art Gallery, Melbourne CBD
      Serving Melbourne’s vibrant corporate and private art markets.

    • The Framed Gallery, Darwin, Northern Territory
      The Northern Territory’s leading commercial gallery for fine art.

  • 2010

    • The Framed Gallery, Darwin, Northern Territory

    • GRCA Exhibition, Melbourne
      (Group exhibition.)

  • 2012

    • Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza, Victoria

  • 2013

    • Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza, Victoria

Internationally, Marek’s paintings have also been shown in private exhibitions and collections across London, Berlin, Zurich, Singapore, and Warsaw.

Awards and Distinctions

  • 2004 – Best Oil/Acrylic, St Kevin’s College Annual Art Show, Toorak, Melbourne
    A recognition awarded for outstanding technique, creativity, and visual impact.

  • 2005 – Winner, "He Who Inspires" Competition, hosted by Walker Street Gallery & Arts Centre, Dandenong, Victoria
    Honouring artists whose works stir profound emotional connection and inspiration.

Collections and Patronage

Marek Wilinski’s works are sought after by an international collector base who recognize the rare depth and longevity of his vision. His paintings form part of prestigious private collections throughout Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Singapore, and the United States. Several private collectors have built extensive holdings dedicated solely to his works — a testament to the lasting emotional power and collectible significance of his art.

Each piece Marek creates invites a dialogue — between artist and viewer, between memory and experience, between what is seen and what is deeply felt.