Basia Smolnicki is a Wellington based artist specialising in relief and intaglio printmaking processes applied to paper, glass, mirror and sheet metal. Basia uses traditional hand cut stencils and digital cutting technology such as laser and abrasive water jet cutting technology.

Born to Polish immigrants, Basia's imagery is influenced by the Polish folk art tradition of paper-cut design called 'wycinanki' - brightly coloured intricate designs are cut from paper by scissors. Basia combines her love for New Zealand native flora and fauna with universal decorative motifs that celebrate everyday life and rituals.