City or countryside? I like a good balance of both: living closer to nature, but still near a major city. When I spent nine months working in Iceland, I first lived in a rural area. That was a bit too much nature for me – I felt very isolated. I preferred Reykjavik. What’s funny is that I’d decided to go in January so I’d mostly be there during the lighter months, but the experience actually made me appreciate the dark more. If the sun stays up for too long, you lose your natural rhythm of when it’s time to rest.
As a child, I was… rather shy and very clumsy. I’m still clumsy. [Laughs] I was also creative from an early age. I started drawing lessons when I was six years old because my sister, who is four years older, was taking them and I was jealous. Painting is still my favourite art form. Later, my brother gave me a book on art history that I read to bits. I eventually went to the Academy of Fine Arts, first in Kraków and later in Warsaw, where I, among other art commissions, worked as an art teacher.
What’s the last book you read? Normal People by Sally Rooney. I had to convince myself that it’s okay to read just for fun. I also enjoy audiobooks. One of my favourite authors is Haruki Murakami. I love the dreamlike worlds he creates – they inspire me. I’d especially recommend The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.
"Working as an artist might mean compromising on commissions"
What was the best decision you ever made? Going to Iceland after my internship in Paris. I needed time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Work as an artist, even if it meant compromising on commissions? Do a master’s in art? Or take a different path altogether? I’m glad I gave myself time to slow down and reflect. I’m now in my third year of studying psychology, which has always interested me. Studying at university stimulates my mind and teaches me new skills, like reading academic papers. In the future, I hope to combine a stable job as a psychologist with working as an independent artist.
Pet peeve? The amount of plastic packaging in supermarkets. Before you know it, you’ve got a rubbish bag full of plastic. I believe it doesn’t have to be that way.
"As the youngest, I had my own dynamic with my brother and sister"
My siblings were my best friends growing up. We were close, but best friends…? As the youngest, I had my own dynamic with them. If I fell out with one, I’d be friends with the other, and the other way around. Now that we’re adults, we all have our own lives, but we agree on what matters most, like staying in touch. It can be difficult, since each of us lives in a different country.
Favourite food? Soup, especially Polish soups. It’s what I always make when friends come over for dinner. Even just having a pot simmering on the stove makes me feel at home. In Poland, people make soup from anything. You use the same base and just add whatever you have on hand.
I take after… my mother in terms of looks. Personality-wise, I’m a mix of both my parents. My mother likes to challenge herself and experience new things, and I’m the same. My father and I both tend to keep our thoughts to ourselves. We have rich inner lives. [Laughs]
What do you look for in a partner? Someone I can share daily life with, talk to about my day and rely on for support.
"I don’t feel the need to place myself under the supervision of a religious institution"
What do you miss about Poland? Knowing how everything works. When you move to another country, you are forced to relearn how to navigate your professional field. Every opportunity must be actively fought for, as you are expected to build an entirely new network without support. Based on my experience, despite having a strong background in teaching and administrative work, I found it extremely difficult to secure a long-term collaboration with an art school in the region.
Do you ever pray? I meditate. My New Year’s resolution is to be more present in the moment. I was raised Catholic, and there are aspects of the faith I still appreciate, but I don’t feel the need to place myself under the supervision of an institution.
Favourite artist? That’s a tough one. The first name that comes to mind is the Spanish painter and sculptor Joan Miró. You can completely lose yourself in some of his works. But I’m already starting to doubt my answer, because the last time I went to an exhibition of his work, I found it slightly disappointing.