In this episode of Horror Heals, Corey and Kendall Stulce sit down with Polish artist Hekkoto, whose horror-inspired artwork has not only captured the attention of fans worldwide but has also played a significant role in their personal mental wellness journey. Through chilling illustrations of monsters, long-limbed creatures, and eerie landscapes, Hekkoto has discovered how horror can offer comfort and a sense of belonging in a world where they’ve often felt like an outsider. This conversation dives into the power of horror art to heal, the unique horror culture in Poland, and how Hekkoto plans to expand their creative work.
From Cute Cats to Creepy Monsters: Hekkoto’s Artistic Evolution
Hekkoto’s journey into the world of horror art wasn’t always filled with the dark, monstrous imagery that defines their work today. In fact, like many artists, they started drawing much softer subjects, including cats and flowers. As they recalled on the podcast, their early social media presence on DeviantArt was filled with cute and whimsical art. However, everything shifted when they stumbled upon the Creepypasta community.
It was the eerie, user-generated horror stories from Creepypasta that sparked Hekkoto’s fascination with drawing scary and unsettling imagery. Characters like Slender Man, with his long limbs and haunting presence, deeply resonated with Hekkoto and soon became one of their favorite figures to illustrate. They found that monsters with elongated arms and legs, like Slender Man, allowed for a unique and unsettling aesthetic that matched the dark emotions they were beginning to explore in their art.
Finding Comfort in Horror: How Horror Art Became Therapy
For many people, horror is a genre that evokes fear and discomfort. But for Hekkoto, it became a source of comfort during some of the most challenging times in their life. As they shared with Corey and Kendall, horror provided a therapeutic outlet during a difficult period, when feelings of isolation and sadness seemed overwhelming.
“Drawing horror really helped me when I was feeling bad,” Hekkoto explained. “It gave me comfort and a sense of belonging.”
Hekkoto’s connection to horror wasn’t just about the monsters they drew or the movies they watched—it was about finding a community of like-minded individuals who shared their love for the macabre. For them, horror art became a way to channel their emotions, create a space where they could feel understood, and connect with others who found solace in the genre.
The Outsider Connection: Horror’s Appeal to Those Who Feel Different
One of the most profound aspects of horror that Hekkoto identifies with is the genre’s focus on outsiders. In horror movies, it’s often the misunderstood monsters or the characters who don’t fit societal norms that become the heroes—or at least the ones we root for.
As someone who has felt like an outsider for much of their life, Hekkoto found a deep connection to these characters. “I often relate more to the monsters,” they admitted. “They are outsiders, just like me.”
For Hekkoto, horror allowed them to explore these feelings of alienation and, in turn, find a community where they didn’t have to feel so different. They saw themselves in the misunderstood monsters and embraced the idea that being different isn’t something to be feared but rather celebrated.
Horror Culture in Poland: A Growing Phenomenon
While discussing horror’s cultural reach, Hekkoto shared that horror is a popular genre in Poland, especially around Halloween. Cinemas in Poland regularly feature horror movie marathons, and horror culture is becoming more widespread, even though it’s still evolving compared to countries like the United States.
Hekkoto dreams of a horror film in Poland that taps into the country’s rich Slavic mythology and folklore—an aspect of horror that they feel is underexplored in their native country. Despite their love for horror films from other cultures, especially Japanese horror, they’re hopeful that one day Polish cinema will offer more horror stories rooted in its own cultural traditions.
A Love for Japanese Horror: The Influence of Ringu
While horror is a global genre, Hekkoto revealed a particular fondness for Japanese horror, especially the Ringu series. They have even collected almost all the Ringu films on DVD, drawn to the eerie aesthetic of characters like Sadako, the ghostly girl with long, dark hair and pale skin.
“The idea of a creepy girl with long, dark hair—it’s just something I’ve always loved,” Hekkoto shared, explaining that the haunting imagery of Ringu influenced both their art and their love of horror films. Unlike many American remakes, which fail to capture the original magic of foreign horror films, Hekkoto praised the American adaptation of The Ring as one of the few that did justice to its Japanese counterpart.
What’s Next for Hekkoto: From Digital Art to Sculpture
As Hekkoto continues to grow as an artist, they have exciting plans to expand their creative work beyond digital horror illustrations. Inspired by their love for monsters, they’re diving into the world of sculpting, with the hope of bringing their terrifying characters to life in three-dimensional form. Hekkoto has already started recording videos of their artistic process, hoping to build a larger audience on platforms like YouTube.
By combining their digital art skills with video editing and graphic design, Hekkoto is paving the way for a new phase of their creative journey—one that embraces different mediums and allows them to reach even more horror fans across the globe.
Conclusion: Healing Through Horror Art
Hekkoto’s story is a powerful reminder of how horror, often seen as a genre of fear, can actually be a source of healing, connection, and comfort. Through their hauntingly beautiful art, they’ve found a community that celebrates the dark and different, allowing them to channel their emotions into something creative and therapeutic. As they look to the future, we’re excited to see where their journey takes them next—whether it’s through new sculptures, videos, or even a horror film inspired by Slavic mythology.
For all the horror fans out there, Hekkoto’s journey reminds us that sometimes, the scariest monsters are the ones that help us feel the most human.
Be sure to follow Hekkoto’s eerie and haunting journey on Instagram and Patreon, where you can explore their growing collection of horror artwork and stay updated on upcoming projects. Don’t miss out on the chance to watch them transition into sculpting and video work, creating even more chilling content for horror lovers everywhere.
Keep It Spooky: And remember, when someone asks if horror is good for mental wellness, bite back with, “Of course it is!”
