The project “I am in my house” was born on the day I did the photoshoot. The phrase comes from a childhood game, when we played tag and covered our heads, saying: “I am in the house”, which meant that no one could touch us. It was a gesture of protection, a temporary shelter. This is exactly what I felt when I immigrated to the UK.
I realized that mentally I am “in my house”. I try to protect myself. I don’t let people into my heart or my thoughts because I’m afraid of being hurt. At the same time, this house represents a longing for home: for my home, my language and a life that will never be the same again. There is a conflict between the desire for security and the understanding that hide-and-seek does not heal.

The blue-yellow light inside the house symbolizes awareness. When the house is lit up and the woman in the white dress walks towards the sea, it becomes a metaphor for liberation. Before her is an ocean of possibilities. Sometimes you may need to stay in your “house” to reflect and survive, but you can’t stay there forever, otherwise it becomes a trap.

All content © Alla Stratiienko. All rights reserved.

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