Illustrations

Lena Goral

In my work, I explore the depths of‘surgical masculinity’ – a form of masculinity defined by clinical coldness, physical fragility and an unsettling psychological presence. My characters’ gaunt physiques and scars seem to bear witness to discipline, pain or an almost inhuman self-control. The‘maniacal smile’: this subtle trademark is the crack in the coldness. It suggests that an abyss lurks beneath the controlled surface – that is the essence of arthouse horror. The mutilated attractiveness: this is a central feature of my style. These men are actually attractive, but their gaunt features, pale skin and various disfigurements make them look like‘living corpses’ or relics of a cruel system. The disfigurement is not merely a wound; it is part of their identity.