"Roots" is part of my ongoing Heroines series, which celebrates the strength, dignity and enduring presence of women across generations.
In this work, I portray a woman in traditional Croatian attire, not as a historical figure, but as a reflection of my own roots and cultural identity. The portrait is intentionally intimate, presenting the figure as I see her—proud, resilient and deeply connected to the heritage she carries.
Through expressive brushwork and vibrant colour, I sought to dissolve the boundaries between the figure and her surroundings. The woman gradually merges with the background, symbolising the inseparable connection between past and present. Heritage is not something distant or forgotten; it lives within us, shaping who we are and how we see the world.
The traditional costume becomes more than a garment—it becomes a visual language of memory, belonging and continuity. By blending the figure with the surrounding colours and forms, I explore how personal identity grows from collective history, while remaining alive and relevant in contemporary life.
With "Roots", I pay tribute to the women who preserve culture, values and stories, carrying them forward into the future while remaining firmly grounded in their origins.
