Dying Roses

"I have always painted energetically; one could even say – impatiently. Early on, I concluded that when one paints, one should be lively, daring, bold! As a result, my style was destined to become expressionistic. By applying quick, colourful strokes, I infuse the canvas with energy and do not allow my ardour towards the subject matter to cool down, whatever I paint – be it a person, a still life or a landscape. This attitude may be influenced by the hot climate and the Central Asian mentality I grew up with.

My work is reminiscent of the traditions of impressionism and post-impressionism. For some years, I have been obsessed by the desire to combine the highly technical Soviet school of painting, which is underpinned by solid drawing skills and a serious attitude towards the model, with the ease, vibrance and spontaneity of impressionists. This symbiosis has become crucial in my depiction of people.

Naturally, I am attracted by oriental motifs, ornaments and vivid colours. However, after having lived in the gloomy and elegant St. Petersburg for 8 years, I developed a penchant for simplicity and clarity that helped me to balance the energetic ornateness that I already had. This is how naive still lives appeared in my vocabulary, lyrical odes to the simplicity of form and colour. Finally, I realized something important about my art - I do not want to define it narrowly, because life always includes some form of duality. I prefer to be in a state of constant search, uncertainty, looking for novel ways of expression. For me, this duality constitutes the very essence of my art: on one hand, I paint with energy, leaning towards an embellished tradition; on the other, I am deliberate and contemplative, looking beyond the surface."