Ворк-страгл-лайф беленс

Kateryna Vodolazka

Painting

50 x 70 cm

an exploration of the mental exhaustion and identity crisis caused by the pressures of modern capitalism. Created during a time of intense career anxiety, this piece reflects my personal frustration with the repetitive, draining corporate life I found myself trapped in. The faceless figures with rat heads represent the loss of individuality, as people chase after career success without questioning if their ambitions are truly their own. The phrase "Every day is fucking same" emphasizes the monotony of this cycle, while the question "Who are you without your career?" forces us to confront the layers of identity we build around our job titles. Through this piece, I question the societal expectations that push us to define ourselves through our work, and I reflect on the deep human need for calmness and stability, which is often overshadowed by the relentless drive for achievement. This work captures the universal struggle of feeling lost within the systems that dictate our lives, while offering a personal reflection on reclaiming the self from corporate and capitalistic norms.