Unseen Performances

Growing up in Poland, I was influenced by the image of the 'Matka Polka'—the idealized Polish mother figure. It inspired me to explore the boundaries between the personal and the performative, revealing the tensions behind socially imposed roles on women.

Growing up in a post-communist Poland, I was surrounded by the image of the Matka Polka—the idealized Polish mother, characterized by strength and resilience. This ideal paragon represented a woman who managed domestic responsibilities and societal challenges without revealing any sign of weakness or personal need. Witnessing the weight carried by women who embodied the Matka Polka left me with a lingering sense of unease towards societal expectations. I am inspired to explore the tension between duty and desire, strength and vulnerability. My staged intimate spaces capture protagonists in moments that evoke this dissonance.