Hard Shell, Soft Core
Photographer: Anastasiia Serdiuk
1. What significant life experiences or events have influenced and shaped your artistic vision?
I grew up in a small Ukrainian town called Hadiach, and at 17, I moved to Warsaw to study graphic design. Back then, it felt like just a step toward adulthood — moving out from my parents. Only later did I realize it was a true immigrant journey, full of challenges and self-discovery. It taught me resilience, independence, and how to go after what I want. That’s when my real inner growth began.
At 15, I started taking self-portraits on a tripod — quirky shoots inspired by trends like covering my body with toy cars or painting roads on my skin. I think the loneliness I felt as a teen played a big part. I learned how to enjoy time alone and be my own creative companion.
Over time, I found myself more drawn to being in front of the camera — as a model. I’ve developed a strong visual intuition and sense of movement, shaped by years of studying poses on Pinterest. I still remember my first “concept shoot”: I posed in a bathtub against a grey wall and later added elf ears in Photoshop.
2. Collaboration often sparks fresh creativity. Can you share an example of a collaboration that led to an unexpected and exciting artistic outcome?
A photoshoot with photographer Nastya Serdiuk started as a simple TFP project but turned into a creative connection. She suggested a look with a plastic corset — minimal but striking. From the first moment, we were on the same wavelength. Nastya is one of those rare people who bring not only visuals but energy into the frame. It was light, natural work that stayed with me.
3. Walk us through a specific project that challenged your creative boundaries. How did you approach it, and what did you learn from the experience?
Together with Nastya, we planned a shoot with angel wings — a nod to my name, Anhelina. But in Warsaw, such wings were nearly impossible to rent. We ordered a pair online, but they arrived tiny — disappointing. Yet on shoot day, we arrived at the studio and found huge wings available as props. They weren’t even listed. We laughed like kids. It reminded me: If an idea comes — there’s already a way to bring it to life, even if you don’t know it yet.
4. In the ever-evolving art world, what do you believe sets your work apart and makes it unique or groundbreaking?
I am already unique — just the way God created me. My life story, choices, family roots, and friendships shape how I see the world. That mix creates the energy that brings ideas into my mind.
Ideas come to everyone. But I’ve learned to value each one — and more started to arrive. I believe ideas visit those who know how to respect and act on them.
5. As you reflect on your journey, are there any specific goals or milestones you've set for your artistic career in the coming years?
I follow where my heart and reason lead me. If an idea appears, I bring it to life. We often don’t know where today’s decision will take us — but I believe the future is built in the present moment. In this fast-changing world, I only try to keep my direction clear. My goal in the next few years: to enjoy life and my youth fully.
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She looks strong — like a sculpture of confidence — but strength often hides a tender core. This editorial reveals the contrast: a woman shaped by life’s sharp edges, yet still soft within. At 17, I left a small Ukrainian town, Hadiach, and moved to Warsaw alone. No parents, no safety net — just a burning desire to live fully. I worked, studied, and built myself from the ground up. Now I work in the humanitarian field as a MEAL assistant — a mind trained for logic, a heart open to feeling.
The corset symbolizes the armor we all wear. Yet behind it is a story — like mine — of a girl who bloomed through struggle, like a wild flower. The corset is a plastic shell we all wear. But if it can crack so easily… do we really need the protections we hold on to?
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Model: Anhelina Trachuk
Photographer: Anastasiia Serdiuk