I create portraits of individuals wearing vibrant, hand-sewn costumes, captured doing everyday activities like “Woman from Urzecze” and “Little Shepherd”. I portray historical figures and their homes, creating them from sepia-toned archival photographs, machine stitching small pieces of fabric with colourful threads and using true historical colours.

I aim to depict them realistically so that they can be recognised and remembered. I combat the fading of the photographs and the passage of time with vibrant fabrics and meandering threads. The realistic portrait contrasts with the abstract background, usually of small patch work pieces, as “Woman from Polesie”. I want viewers to be aware that the history captured in the fabric is merely a moment frozen in time. Although the figures look realistic, their life stories remain unknown.

Every time someone looks at my work, they will connect with the culture of my region and be encouraged to reflect on their own history and the passage of time