Nell Kokocińska from Poznań, Poland, is a largely self-taught artist whose creative journey spans multiple artistic disciplines. Deeply inspired by nature, human emotion, and the quiet beauty found in everyday moments, she creates evocative abstract, portrait, and still life photography from her home studio.

Her work is driven by a fascination with the emotional landscapes carried by the people she photographs. Through portraiture, she seeks to reveal not only individuality and character but also the resilience, strength, and untold stories shaped by life’s challenges. This emotional connection forms the heart of her artistic process, allowing her to create images that are both intimate and deeply expressive.

Alongside portrait photography, Nell’s still life compositions explore memory, feeling, and symbolism. Through carefully observed details and thoughtful arrangements, she transforms ordinary objects into emotionally charged visual narratives. Frequently working in black and white, she strips away the distraction of colour to invite viewers into a quieter space where texture, light, and subtle detail take centre stage.

History to Date

Nell’s passion for creativity began many years ago through photographing family and friends, initially as a personal hobby and means of self-expression. Long before photography became her primary artistic language, she immersed herself in theatre and songwriting, eventually becoming a published poet. These early creative experiences continue to influence the emotional depth and storytelling that define her photographic work today.

Her artistic vision also extended into the professional world through running a graphic design business specialising in signage and interior design, where her eye for detail and strong sense of composition flourished.

After moving to Scotland, Nell expanded her creative and environmental interests by exploring themes surrounding global warming and sustainable living, while simultaneously undertaking formal photography studies to refine her technical skills.

During her studies, she participated in a live photoshoot opportunity that led to her photographs being published in The Dumfries and Galloway Life magazine. Her work also remains on display at Dumfries and Galloway College, reflecting an important milestone in her artistic development.

Her first exhibition at Qupi’s Café, Leith, Edinburgh, attracted the attention of an art dealer and marked the beginning of her exhibiting career. Her photography has since found an international audience, with work displayed in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, France.

Her exhibition “Love of Life” was showcased at Ocean Terminal Art Gallery throughout September 2018 before moving to The North Edinburgh Art Gallery in October of the same year.

In 2019, her work was exhibited at The Nail Factory Gallery in Dalbeattie and later presented at The Leith Collective Gallery within Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh.

Her photography has also been featured in the Southlight publication series:

• April 2020 — SOUTHLIGHT 27
• Autumn/Winter 2020–2021 — SOUTHLIGHT 28
• Spring/Summer 2021 — SOUTHLIGHT 29
• Spring 2022 — SOUTHLIGHT 31
• Autumn/Winter 2024 — SOUTHLIGHT 36
• Spring/Summer 2026 — SOUTHLIGHT 38

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Today, Nell continues to develop work that blends emotional storytelling with visual sensitivity, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and discover beauty within both the visible and the unseen.

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“Through her photography, Nell seeks to preserve fleeting moments of emotion and transform them into timeless visual stories.”