Blog | Michael Borkowsky | Perfumer of the People

Jul 2, 2019
1 min

100 Not Out

June 2019 marked the 9th incarnation of Perfume as Practice, which was staged at Asylum Gallery, Wolverhampton. The exhibition comprised of 12 perfume portraits and 5 paintings, themed under the idea of protest. The exhibition also represented a milestone for the project as a whole, as it housed the 100th perfume portrait I have created since the project’s conception in late 2015. The 100th perfume portrait was of artist Hannah Taylor. Here it is presented next to the very fi

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Michael Borkowsky

Dec 30, 2018
2 min

Looking at 2018

Looking back on my creative output over the last year, I’d have to conclude that I have had a relatively successful 2018 – I have delivered on my promise of staging two Perfume as Practice shows a year, immersed myself in the possibilities of candle making in contemporary art, and have reached new audiences both nationally and internationally. So I guess I can’t complain! This year, I endeavoured to stage both Perfume as Practice shows outside Sheffield. This was an effort to

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Michael Borkowsky

Jun 19, 2018
1 min

Measuring Scent and Narrative

Last weekend I was part of a group exhibition at the Old Holy Trinity Church, Wentworth called ‘Measure’ – which looks at the human soul. My own offering was a scented narrative that suggests you can weigh your soul against the virtues of your job. This is the second outing of this particular body of work, with the first being at Sheffield Cathedral last year. I found that the informal yet contemplative space of Old Trinity Church lent itself more to audience engagement. this

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Michael Borkowsky

Jun 1, 2018
2 min

Pondering Platforms Project

Earlier this month I exhibited at Platforms Project, Athens as part of a group exhibition that looked at the contemplation of our solar system. I, alongside artists Sharon Mossbeck and Alison Whitmore, took 3 planets and interpreted them through our own modes of enquiry with reference to Ancient Greece. Sharon’s work comprised painting and cross-stitch, Alison’s comprised sculptural and works and I presented 3 perfumes, each representing the Greek gods of Zeus, Kronos and Our

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Michael Borkowsky

May 20, 2018
1 min

Zeus 50ml EDT

Head – Elemi, Lime, Cotton Heart – Black Pepper, Ginger Body – Patchouli, Cumin Seed Full of unwavering energy; the initial blast of lime, compounded dry the earthy readiness of patchouli and the potency of cumin seed describes the electric effects of thunder and lightning. This is offset by the woody accord of Elemi, referencing Zeus’ hidden childhood suspended from a tree. Black Pepper and Ginger forms a heart shared with Kronos and Ouranos; referencing family connections.

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Michael Borkowsky

May 13, 2018
2 min

Perfumes and Planets

Next week I travel to Athens to participate in Platforms Project – an independent art fair in the heart of the city. It’s the 3rd time I will have entered work into the art fair, and the 2nd time I’ve directly been involved in the curation and installation of my work. This year my participation in Platforms Project will once again take the guise of a group exhibition. The exhibition, entitled ‘Wonderer’ seeks to reacquaint an audience with Ancient Greek appropriations of the

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Michael Borkowsky

May 5, 2018
1 min

Perfume Portrait #82 – John Alfred

John Alfred 50ml EDT Head – Petitgrain Heart – Fennel, ginger Body – Sandalwood, myrrh Description – A fiery and masculine free spirit, this fragrance utilises the sense of mental aptitude found in woods and spices to point towards ways to innovative, create and have a little fun at the same time. This perfume is one of fifteen housed at Bureau, Blackburn from 12th – 26th April as part of my solo exhibition, Perfume as Practice. #contemporaryart #portraiture #aroma #olfactory

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Michael Borkowsky

May 4, 2018
1 min

Perfume Portrait #81 – Emily Feirn

Emily Feirn 50ml EDT Head – Bergamot Heart – Lavendar, black pepper Body – Ylang Ylang Description – Nominally floral with notes that reference tranquillity, joy and, relaxation. This calmness is offset by black pepper, which captures a spirited sense of individuality. This perfume is one of fifteen housed at Bureau, Blackburn from 12th – 26th April as part of my solo exhibition, Perfume as Practice. #contemporaryart #culture #making #Art #perfume #smell #perfumery #exhibitio

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Michael Borkowsky

May 1, 2018
1 min

Perfume Portrait #80 – Louise Waller

Louise Waller 50ml EDT Head – Niaouli, grapefruit Heart – Spike lavender Body – Ylang Ylang, hyssop Description – An implied floral fragrance that is content, brimming with peace yet not afraid to show a playful, experimental side: The addition of grapefruit, clove and hyssop bridge notes disrupt the process of making a floral composition as an ode to the value of trial and error. This perfume is one of fifteen housed at Bureau, Blackburn from 12th – 26th April as part of my

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Michael Borkowsky

Apr 28, 2018
1 min

Perfume Portrait #79 – Becca Merrell

Becca Merrell 50ml EDT Head – Sea breeze Heart – Driftwood Body – Cedarwood Description – A sublime concoction of fragrance oils that evoke scenes of natural beauty, delivered through reproductions of scents of the coast, this scent reminds you of the human capacity to replicate beauty while cedarwood essential oil base gives you the confidence to do just that. This perfume is one of fifteen housed at Bureau, Blackburn from 12th – 26th April as part of my solo exhibition, Per

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Michael Borkowsky

Apr 27, 2018
1 min

Perfume Portrait #78 – Henk Littlewood

Henk Littlewood 50ml EDT Head – Petitgrain, mandarin Heart – Cypress, geranium Body – Sandalwood, myrrh, ylang ylang Description – Woody fragrances, while grounding and affirmative, also have a quiet capacity for healing. Cypress, sandalwood and hints of floral notes offer a therapeutic sense of confidence, focus and worth. As a heavy sap, myrrh has a certain physical presence that references how, through kinaesthetic action, woods can provide a place to offload, reflect and

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Michael Borkowsky

Apr 26, 2018
1 min

Perfume Portrait #77 – Jack F. Rabbit

Jack F. Rabbit 50ml EDT Head – Petitgrain, bitter orange Heart – Camphor, carrot seed Body – Rosewood Description – Assertive, positive, and an ode to creativity, petitgrain and bitter inspires the confidence and mental agility required to pursuit creative action while alluding to the instinctive joy of creation. Clarity of intent is referenced by camphor and carrot seed, which also adds a playful and subversive flourish. Yet this fragrance finishes with Rosewood, which, whil

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Michael Borkowsky

Apr 25, 2018
1 min

Perfume Portrait #76 – Eugene Lambert

Eugene Lambert 50ml EDT Head – Lemongrass, lime Heart – Black pepper, Body – Sandlewood Description – In the spirit of the innately compulsive nature of creativity, the oils chosen here were based entirely on my own intuition in an attempt to convey a burning sense of desire. This perfume is one of fifteen housed at Bureau, Blackburn from 12th – 26th April as part of my solo exhibition, Perfume as Practice. #contemporaryart #portraiture #portrait #culture #making #Art #perfum

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Michael Borkowsky

Apr 23, 2018
1 min

Perfume Portrait #75 – Aimee Ellen

Aimee Ellen 50ml EDT Head – Sweet Orange Heart – Juniper Berry Body – Frankincense Description – The fragrance opens with inviting citrus notes before revealing oils synonymous with harmony and peace – agent to purity. This perfume is one of fifteen housed at Bureau, Blackburn from 12th – 26th April as part of my solo exhibition, Perfume as Practice. #portraiture #aroma #culture #making #Art #perfume #smell #perfumery #exhibitions #fragrance #portraits #events #Scent

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Michael Borkowsky

Apr 21, 2018
1 min

Perfume Portrait #73 – Angela Harpham

Angela Harpham 50ml EDT Head – Bergamot Heart – Cypress, ginger Body – Frankincense Description – Assured yet aware of the complexities that come with fathoming human endeavour, this fragrance contains takes advantage of the volatile nature of essential oils which often reveal hidden depth: Bergamot emits warmer tones than you might initially realise, while cypress and frankincense contain hints of earth and spice. Ginger gives the overall composition a kick whilst referencin

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Michael Borkowsky

Apr 18, 2018
1 min

Perfume Portrait #70 – Dave Akehurst

Dave Akehurst 50ml EDT Head – Basil, peppermint Heart – Cypress, ginger Body – Cedarwood Description – A fresh, earthy composition that chooses fragrances for the balancing and cleansing of the throat, and as such metaphorically symbolising communication and sharing. Ginger also emits a fiery kick that expresses a certain individuality. Cedarwood for the immune system. This perfume is one of fifteen housed at Bureau, Blackburn from 12th – 26th April as part of my solo exhibi

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Perfume Portrait #69 – Natasha Safavi Martin

Michael Borkowsky

Apr 17, 2018
1 min

Perfume Portrait #69 – Natasha Safavi Martin

Natasha Safavi Martin 50ml EDT Head – Lemon, bergamot Heart – Cypress, pine Body – Dill, hyssop Description – A display of how fragrance can contain narratives while evoking the feeling associated with a sense of place, this fragrance begins surrounded by fresh Italian fruits before journeying to the cypress fields of France and the mammoth pines of Finland. We wind up in Hungary, shrouded by the warming and accomplished qualities of hyssop and dill. An epic tale, for sure! T

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Michael Borkowsky

Apr 16, 2018
1 min

Perfume Portrait #68 – Ella Boston

Ella Boston 50ml EDT Head – Sweet orange, lemon, lime Heart – Black pepper, pine needle Body – Rosewood Description – Orange Lemon and lime, while adding colour to the world, are also instantly recognisable, as scents forms and shapes; referencing the capacity art has for direct communication. Pine needle references the physical and mental agility required instigate creative action, yet it still holds a sweetness that echoes the joy found in the top notes. Black pepper displa

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Open Call for an Exhibition in Athens – ‘Stars’

Michael Borkowsky

Feb 1, 2018
3 min

Open Call for an Exhibition in Athens – ‘Stars’

This open call has now ended. Fronteer presents Stars, an open call to submit work for an exhibition in Athens, Greece in May 2018. Fronteer is an arts initiative hosted by myself and artist Sharon Mossbeck that seeks to provide creative opportunities and events both nationally and internationally. We are asking artists to submit artwork based on the theme of stars for an exhibition at Platforms Project 18 in Athens. The exhibition will house work created by Fronteer artists

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Perfume Portrait #59 – Joe Millie Norman

Michael Borkowsky

Dec 23, 2017
1 min

Perfume Portrait #59 – Joe Millie Norman

Joe Mille Norman 50ml EDT Head – Tangerine, Basil Heart – Ginger, Geranium Body – Ylang Ylang, Myrrh Description – Addressing the differing challenges creative compulsion and endeavour brings, this fragrance emerges light then reveals a rich sense of complexity. This perfume was housed at Surface Gallery, Nottingham, from 3rd – 18th November. #portraiture #aroma #creativity #portrait #culture #Art #perfume #smell #perfumery #exhibitions #compulsion #challenges #events #Scent

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