10 Questions with Alicja Patanowska, Artist
The Urban Farmer Project in London is an initiative delivered by Fleet Street Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with Landsec and London’s Community Kitchen, with support from Square Mile Farms. Plantation by Alicja Patanowska is the first artist installation in the space, co-produced with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, the Polish Cultural Institute in London, Let’s Art Foundation, and On & On Designs.
1.Thank you so much for sharing your story with our readers. Can you tell our audience a bit about yourself?
I am a potter, visual artist, designer, and doctor of arts—a child of the postmodern novel. My practice is rooted in the embodied knowledge gained through direct contact with materials, and I see the narratives contained within physical matter as central to my work. For me, the process of creating is its greatest value.
In response to the growing chaos of overconsumption, I strive to embrace a non-anthropocentric perspective in exploring the relationship between humans and the world. I am deeply passionate about plants, sustainability, and even barter exchange.
Over the past decade, I have dedicated myself to projects like Plantation, which reflect my commitment to combining traditional craftsmanship with environmentally conscious design. My work aims to inspire a dialogue about environmental responsibility while celebrating the beauty of sustainable practices.
2. What was the inspiration behind creating the Plantation exhibit?
Plantation was born from my fascination with giving new life to discarded objects and exploring how art can serve as a tool for environmental reflection. The idea came from my habit of collecting unwanted glassware—items I found after parties on the streets of London and other cities. These forgotten objects, often seen as waste, became the foundation for a new purpose. By designing porcelain covers that fit these glass vessels and transform them into hydroponic planters, I wanted to merge functionality with aesthetic value, creating miniature sculptures that challenge our perception of luxury and sustainability.
3. Your exhibition features 200 hydroponic grown plants, what do you plan to do with them once the exhibition is over in February?
Symbolic words such as ‘caring’ and ‘sharing’ have revolved around this installation from the beginning. I wanted these words to leave the gallery and embed themselves in the recipients’ homes, so we decided at the planning stage of the installation that the end of the installation would be the giving away of all its elements. I want people to go home from the finissage and continue growing plants in these little porcelain Plantations. I hope that this symbolic gesture will make them think about taking care of our Planet.
4. How can people create their own hydroponic gardens? Do you offer workshops on how to get started?
Creating a hydroponic garden at home can be surprisingly simple and rewarding. All you need is a container, water, and a plant capable of growing in water, like herbs or decorative plants. My Plantation system, with its porcelain covers and upcycled glass bases, is an example of how design can facilitate this process. I also run workshops where participants can learn the basics of hydroponics and create their own planters using sustainable materials. These sessions focus not only on techniques but also on fostering a deeper connection with plants and nature.

5. What has the feedback of Plantation from visitors been like?
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Many visitors are drawn to the tactile beauty of the porcelain covers and the ingenuity of the upcycled glass planters. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, people have shared how the project makes them rethink their relationship with waste and nature.
6. Please explain what the Urban Farmer Project is and why your involvement is so important.
The Urban Farmer Project aims to reconnect people with food production and the natural world in urban settings. Through Plantation, I hope to inspire visitors to see themselves not only as consumers but also as caretakers of the planet.
7. How does your other work inspire positive environmental change?
I believe, as Bill McKibben, the author of The End of Nature, once said: “The only thing we need now is art, sweet art.” In the fight against climate change, art plays a crucial role because it ignites the imagination in ways that tables and reports cannot. It operates through symbols and metaphors, serving as a form of “soft power” that gently but profoundly influences perspectives.
In my work, I aim to use this power of art to inspire reflection and encourage a shift in thinking. By transforming discarded materials into functional and beautiful objects, I highlight the hidden potential in what we often consider waste. Projects like Plantation don’t just reduce waste—they invite viewers to see the world from a different, less obvious perspective. While art may not change the world directly, it can plant the seeds of thought and awareness that lead to meaningful change over time.
8. What is the importance of using art to influence people to think about the environment?
Art has a unique ability to make complex issues accessible and emotional. It can engage people on a deeper level, fostering empathy and inspiring action. Through projects like Plantation, I aim to create a dialogue about environmental responsibility in a way that feels both personal and universal. By blending aesthetics with sustainability, art can shift perspectives, turning abstract concepts into tangible experiences that resonate with the individual.
9. What is next for you after the exhibition ends?
I am currently working on new projects that expand on the themes explored in Plantation, including a series of larger-scale installations centered on the climate. One of these is a major piece commissioned for the Council of Europe building in Brussels, commemorating Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. While I can’t share too many details just yet, the opening is scheduled for January 15th.
10. Do you have anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
I’d like to encourage everyone to find small, creative ways to connect with nature in their daily lives. Whether it’s starting a small hydroponic garden or rethinking how you use everyday objects, these actions can have a profound impact. Sustainability isn’t just about big gestures—it’s about fostering a mindset of care and responsibility. Through projects like Plantation, I hope to show that beauty, function, and sustainability can coexist, and that we all have the power to contribute to positive change.
