Born in Dortmund, Germany to Polish immigrant parents and migrating to Australia at a young age, Filip (Fil) has always had a different view of his surroundings than that of his suburban Victorian classmates. As a continuous presence in Melbourne’s contemporary art scene for over two decades and surrounded by artistic influences from birth; inspiration has come in many forms for Filip. His father, Ryszard Konikowski, an internationally regarded artist in his own right, has helped mould his artistic drive and keen eye for detail. It was Ryszard who introduced Filip to photography in his early years by gifting him a Canon 400D.
His idiosyncratic and detail-orientated approach has allowed him to connect with a plethora of unique individuals, building an impressive catalogue of imagery featuring the faces of Melbourne’s art, music and fashion industries. His many contributions have led to features in publications all over the world, including Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Vault and most notably, a part in the National Gallery of Victoria’s ‘200 Years of Australian Fashion’.
In his early twenties, Fil’s love for all things vintage gave birth to his most extensive collection of work to date, Vintage Car Porn (VCP)—an ever-increasing array of vintage car photography highlighting Melbourne’s classic car scene. In March 2022, Filip exhibited with his father for the first time in Melbourne, showcasing their multiple talents. A full circle moment, it was undoubtedly the beginning of ongoing collaborations with the man who inspired Filip’s journey into photography.
