Anna, illustrator 🇵🇱

Do you remember your first aesthetic shock?
Yes. I remember it very well. It was a situation where I was spitting a cup of coffee on this huge drawing I had been working on for a few days. It was indeed a real aesthetic shock!

♥ The artist you would like to meet? What would you say to him?
Modigliani! I would tell him that I admire his work and that he is a great inspiration to me! But let’s keep it hypothetical because for real I’d probably be too shy to do that. But sometimes that feeling of looking at someone with your mouth open could have the same effect, couldn’t it?

♥ What is your favourite colour?
All shades of blue. Blue is water, sky and my favourite socks.

♥ Which museum gives you the greatest emotion? Why?
The Lublin Museum of Modern Art, called “Galeria Labirynt” because of the vibrant community of nice and creative people, local and international artists. During my early years of learning architecture, I used to go there several times a week.

There is also a gallery where I saw for the first time in my life a live performance. Not quite from the Marina Abramović, but the one I saw left me speechless.

♥ Which piece of art would you buy without hesitation if you had an unlimited budget?
Well, it’s hard to choose! But I would surely fall for Modigliani’s ‘Portrait of Lunia Czechovska’.
Also the ‘Hands up’ by the young artist ‘Amoako Boafo’ from Ghana.

♥ In which city do you feel happiest? Why do you think so? Share your 3 favorite addresses.

My first favorite address is Krakow, city of artists. The city has a very interesting history and architecture. And the street food in the Jewish quarter is simply crazy!

My second favorite is Maribor, a small student town in Slovenia. I spent half a year there during my studies. A small town, surrounded by a river, with nice people, cosy cafes and a very warm atmosphere. Not forgetting the Teran! The famous Slovenian red wine, ah ah ah.

Third favorite is Budapest. I love the good vibe of this city. The river, the bridges, the architecture and the langos!

♥ What book keeps you up all night?
Marek Hłasko, a Polish author who went into exile during the period of communism. I particularly love his two books: ‘All were turn away’ or ‘Last killing of the dog’.

♥ What are your biggest sources of inspiration?
Every day inspires me. I love to observe people, their behaviour and everything around me. Things I especially love: art, architecture, pretty and well-designed things, like my old Italian coffee machine.

♥ What’s the funkiest thing you’ve done in your life?
After a few years of drawing classes and five years of studying, I still doubt that this is a profession for me. My expectations are completely different. I admit that sometimes I also have trouble recognising what is funky, what is sad…

♥ What is your definition of happiness?
Doing the things in life that bring me joy in the long run. Trying to be in harmony with people and my environment. It’s also a song from an English band I love – Kasabian. I’m sure you’ve heard of them.