Balancing Act

Limited Edition Print on Hahnemuhle Baryta museo rag paper, framed in oak

★ Winner, BAF Eureka Art Prize 2014

Balancing Act is an attempted self-portrait, though not of myself. Instead, I chose my friend Magda as a conduit through which to explore my experiences of migration, memory and cultural identity. Both born in Poland, we met in Ballarat as new migrants to Australia, navigating the complexities of belonging.

Growing up in Poland, I was immersed in the traditions and cultural heritage of my homeland. I carry a deep nostalgia for the distant, fading music of my childhood piano accordion – the instrument through which I first experienced joy, creativity and a connection to my inner world.

While the image draws on memories of the past, it is equally a reflection of my present life in Australia. It speaks to the possibilities of renewal, the experience of building a life in a new country, and my ongoing attempt to find equilibrium between different cultures, identities and the person I was and am becoming.