Diana Lelonek. Wasteplants Atlas

Krzysztof Pyda

Diana Lelonek's herbarium redefines the traditional concept of plant collections. Rather than a set of dried specimens, it serves as a striking report on human impact and its influence on plant life. The artist’s research took place in landfills and post-industrial dumps—seemingly inhospitable environments for flora. What captivated her was how plants adapt to these artificial, often synthetic substrates, evolving into hybrid forms of "garbage plants." Lelonek’s work highlights the profound transformations brought by human activity during the Anthropocene, an era where humanity’s dominance over nature threatens the foundations of life—not only for Homo sapiens but for the entire planet. In this context, her herbarium represents a groundbreaking moment. It may well be the first collection of a new era, documenting hybrid non-human forms poised to surpass traditional flora, which we still consider "natural."

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