I have arms 

he has branches

I have legs 

he has a trunk

I have hair 

he has leaves

I have scars

he has too

“I am — whether you want it or not”

08.03-08.05.2025

The plane tree is often called “shameless.” This tree received such a nickname because of its peculiarity – to grow wide, shed its bark, exposing bizarre patterns on its trunk. People cut it, leaving torn wounds, and on the bark – scratches, carved names, crosses. These traces remain forever. 

The human body goes through a similar experience. Over time, it changes, transforms, acquires new forms. It is covered with wrinkles, scars, bruises, it does not remain untouched. We are constantly being renewed – physically, emotionally, psychologically. Sometimes we ourselves remove the old cover, open up, reveal our own vulnerability. And sometimes changes occur against our will – under the pressure of society, other people’s views, imposed ideas about what we “should” be. We are evaluated, given nicknames, analyzed for our appearance, speech, behavior. Other people leave their marks on us – not always visible, but always tangible. Random words, unconscious actions, cruel judgments leave lifelong scars, deep and painful, especially on those parts of us that are most fragile and unprotected.

Anna Antoniuk’s exhibition “I Am — Whether You Want It or Not” is a process of internal reincarnation. It is an attempt to look at yourself differently, to accept your own history, and perhaps even to hate yourself a little less. The artist conducts an open dialogue with herself, comparing her body to a plane tree – a tree that does not fit into the standards of the ideal, but does not lose its significance from this – with the aim of getting used to accepting yourself in it.

This exhibition is not only about corporeality. It is about experiencing feelings, understanding your own wounds and scars, and touching your history. This is a journey of self-discovery, where each image becomes part of a deep inner monologue