Swansea College of Art Graduate Wins Prestigious Haydn John James Prize
Swansea College of Art is proud to celebrate the success of BA in Fine Art graduate Alicja Olejniczak, who has been awarded the esteemed Haydn John James Prize in recognition of her exceptional work and creative development during her time at the Ҵý (UWTSD).
Originally from Poland, Alicja chose to study Fine Art at UWTSD due to the course’s emphasis on experimentation and interdisciplinary practice. “The course encouraged experimentation across different techniques and mediums, which suited the way I like to work intuitively, playfully, and across disciplines,” she explains.
Reflecting on her artistic journey, Alicja shares how the move to the UK played a crucial role in shaping her creative identity. “I’ve always been creative, even as a child, but it was only after moving to the UK from Poland that I had the space and opportunity to really focus on developing my artistic potential in more of a professional manner,” she says.
Her time at Swansea College of Art proved transformative, boosting her confidence and artistic direction. “The course has significantly boosted my personal confidence. Being awarded the Haydn John James Prize was a meaningful recognition of my work and potential. Additionally, I was honoured to be nominated for several other prizes by my tutors, which further encouraged me to trust my creative instincts and continue pushing my practice forward,” she says.
Alicja notes that she was drawn to the course’s combination of artistic freedom and research-based learning. “I was looking for a space that would allow me to explore ideas freely while also helping me to grow both artistically and academically,” she says. “The course gave me that experience as it is a balance between creative freedom and research-based practice.”
Throughout her degree, she found inspiration in the everyday rhythm of studio life and the supportive creative community around her. “What stood out most was being able to come into the studio every day, whether to work or simply to be in that creative environment,” she says.
“Being surrounded by like-minded people, both peers and tutors, was constantly inspiring,” she adds. “It challenged me in the best ways, always within a supportive and encouraging atmosphere.”
In her final year, Alicja made a pivotal shift in her practice, moving away from painting to focus on video and film. “Up until then, I had been painting for most of the degree, but I decided to step out of my comfort zone and focus on video and film instead,” she says. “Although I had always enjoyed working with moving images, I wasn’t initially certain if I wanted to fully commit to it. To challenge myself even further, I started working with analogue Super 8 techniques, filming and hand-processing the footage myself. That process became the foundation of my degree show work. It felt risky to change direction so late in the course, but I trusted my instincts, and it turned out to be the right decision.”
Alicja acknowledges the challenges of maintaining creative momentum within an academic context. “It can be difficult at times to find inspiration or feel like you’re creating something worthwhile, but working within an academic setting adds another layer of challenge,” she explains. “You’re not just making art; you’re also thinking about research, theory, and context. That was probably my biggest struggle. What helped me was simply showing up: attending lectures, talks, tutorials, or even just being present in the studio. I’ve found that if you keep turning up and staying engaged, something eventually clicks. You find your way. Even on tough days, I think it’s important to keep going, that consistency leads to breakthroughs.”
She wholeheartedly recommends the course to other aspiring artists. “It offers excellent studio spaces and workshops that encourage experimentation across a wide range of disciplines, allowing students to explore and develop their creative practice in a supportive environment.”
Looking ahead, Alicja is preparing to begin an MA in Moving Image – Contemporary Dialogues at UWTSD this year. “It’s an exciting continuation of the work I began during my BA degree,” she says. “I plan to focus more on film and research, deepening my practice and exploring new creative directions.”
Further Information
Arwel Lloyd
Principal PR and Communications Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467076