Lernaean Hydra is an ongoing artistic project initiated in 2016 that explores artistic identity through a series of photographic self-portraits. In each image I appear within my own artworks or embody them, blurring the boundaries between artist, subject, and object.
The project draws inspiration from the mythological Lernaean Hydra—a creature whose severed heads would grow back in multiples. This myth becomes a metaphor for my artistic practice: every completed work generates new ideas and images, allowing the project to expand organically over time. The series currently consists of 33 portraits and is conceived as a lifelong process that will continue to evolve alongside my creative practice.
At the same time, Lernaean Hydra constructs a personal artistic mythology. The “beasts” within the project represent creative forces such as imagination, resilience, and persistence. The work can therefore be understood as both a reflection on artistic regeneration and a subtle feminist statement on creative autonomy and the transformative power of artistic identity.
Collaboration (photos) Maciej Zakrzewski
