by Julia Zygner
They Call Us
Polish Girls
Polish Girls
Some stories never make it onto paper.
Not because they don’t matter, but because no one ever asked.
Not because they don’t matter, but because no one ever asked.
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“They Call Us Polish Girls” is an artistic-research project that sheds light on the lives of young adult women from Poland in the third decade of the 21st century. It reveals the invisible emotional labor and how societal expectations affect the daily life and mental health of your sister, your daughter, or perhaps your own…
Through painted portraits and interviews in the form of books, you are invited to discover the stories of women torn between tradition and freedom, duty and own feeling.
It’s not about finding someone to blame – it’s about listening and reflecting. Welcome.
Through painted portraits and interviews in the form of books, you are invited to discover the stories of women torn between tradition and freedom, duty and own feeling.
It’s not about finding someone to blame – it’s about listening and reflecting. Welcome.
Meet Anna K.
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Anna comes from Hajnówka in the Podlaskie Voivodeship and is an only child. At the time of the interview, she was 22 years old and in her fourth year of studies in the Netherlands.
Meet Zuzanna K.
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Zuzanna comes from Warsaw in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship and has one brother. At the time of the interview, she was 22 years old and in her fourth year of studies in the Netherlands.
Meet Paulina G.
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Paulina comes from Łódź in the Łódzkie Voivodeship and has one sister. At the time of the interview, she was 26 years old and working full-time in the Netherlands.
Out
More
Poland is a beautiful yet wounded country, currently undergoing major changes and rapid development.
Deeply rooted norms and attitudes toward women, especially among older generations, intertwine with a newly found awareness of mental health and a growing hope for change among the younger generation. These conditions create a space full of internal contradictions - between family duty and the desire for freedom, between what one “should” do and what one truly feels.
Young Polish women are widely seen as capable, beautiful, and strong. But we often forget that behind this image lie real stories and lived experiences.
At the start of this project, I interviewed nine women aged 20 to 28 from diverse backgrounds, asking about their childhoods, identities, and how they feel about their heritage. Their stories revealed where this familiar strength and wisdom comes from - and now, you can discover it too.
After all, these nine women are not the only ones with a story. Every woman you know, your friend, your sister, your daughter, is just as inspiring and equally worthy of recognition.
By painting portraits of these incredible Polish women I had the chance to meet, I want to give them the sincere appreciation they deserve, for all they do for their families, their communities, and themselves.
How did Anna, Zuzanna, and Paulina feel about being part of “They Call Us Polish Girls”?
Watch a short video capturing their first impressions and a conversation about the project. (English subtitles in the video)
What can You
do now?
do now?
Start by reflecting on your own actions, could they unintentionally minimize what the women around you do for you and others?
Put yourself in your sister’s or friend’s shoes – where does she draw her strength from, and does she have enough of it left for herself?
Share this project with your family and friends!
Use the voices of Ania, Zuzia, and Paulina – sometimes it’s easier to say something difficult, through someone else’s story.
Take action
Here is a list of organizations that support young women. Click on the organization’s logo to visit their website.
Centrum Praw Kobiet Foundation (Center of Women’s Rights Foundation)
Strefa Kobiet Foundation (Women's Zone Foundation)
FEDERA Fundacja na rzecz Kobiet i Planowania Rodziny (Foundation for Women and Family Planning)
Follow on Instagram
Here are some Instagram profiles worth visiting. Click the Instagram logo to go to the profile.
Welcome to the
Archive
of The Project
of The Project
Here you’ll find the full process behind “Jestem Polką” and more information about the project. Every element was designed and created by the project’s author – Julia Zygner.
Click the arrow to view the document.
Click the arrow to view the document.
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Click the arrow to view the document.
Click the arrow to go to Google Drive.
Click the arrow to go to YouTube.
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About The Author
Julia Zygner is a Polish creative, born and raised in Warsaw and currently based in Rotterdam, where she studies Advertising at the Willem de Kooning Academy.
Working across various mediums, her practice revolves around themes of femininity, vulnerability, identity, and emotional labor. She creates work that is both visually striking and emotionally resonant – inviting viewers into intimate encounters with stories and messages.
Her projects often balance strength with softness, reflecting her belief that sensitivity can be a radical force. Drawing from her background in dance, a recurring motif in her practice is movement, which brings a sense of grace, fluidity, and rhythm into both static and moving works.
Currently, Julia is focused on painting, audiovisual and graphic design, and website coding.