Daria Zapala

Daria Zapala (Pala Island) is a Polish-born, Glasgow-based artist with two MFAs in Printmaking and Fine Art Painting. Her practice explores the semiotics of nature and the theory of sound, filtered through her unique perspective as a professional tree surgeon. By blending traditional brush techniques with a process-heavy, subconscious approach, she creates abstract works that capture the strength and hope found in animal symbolism. She is a former recipient of the Ranald & Jennifer May Scholarship and has exhibited widely across Europe and the UK.

2021: MLitt (Master of Letters) in Fine Art Practice (Painting) with Merit, The Glasgow School of Art / University of Glasgow.

2005: MA in Fine Arts (Printmaking & Multimedia), Institute of Fine Arts, University of Opole, Poland.

2023: SHIFT Professional Development Programme, GSA / Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

2019: 3D Motion Graphics (Adobe After Effects), City of Glasgow College.

2007: Cert. Care of Paper & Photographic Collections, National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh.

AWARDS & HONOURS

2020: The Ranald & Jennifer May Postgraduate Painting Scholarship (Major Award).

2023: Luxembourg Art Prize, Certificate of Artistic Achievement.

2022: The Butterbiggens Prize, Winner.

2019: The Herald & Grand Central Hotel Portrait Competition, Shortlisted Finalist.

2014: Saatchi Art 'Made in Britain' Collection, Selected by Chief Curator Rebecca Wilson.

2005: Degree Distinction, University of Opole, Poland.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2019: World's Lost Enchantment, South Block Gallery (WASPS), Glasgow.

2019: Primavera, The Variety, Glasgow.

2016: BEABEAR, Bar Gandolfi Gallery, Glasgow.

2008: Infinity, Glasgow Print Studio, Glasgow.

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2026: 127th SSA Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh.

2025: Winter Exhibition / Big Summer Show, The Lemond Gallery, Bearsden.

2024: 126th Annual Exhibition | 30x30, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh.

2021: Art of the Possible (COP26), Glasgow Art Club / GSA, Glasgow.

2021: Virtual Group Show, Shrine Gallery, New York, NY.

2013: 40/40: Landmark Exhibition, Glasgow Print Studio, Glasgow.

2012: 8th British International Mini Print Exhibition, London Print Studio (UK Tour).

2011: Drawing Connections, Siena Art Insti...