An interview with Mixed-media artist Varvara Zabezhinskaya.
What initially sparked your interest in pursuing art, and how has your journey evolved since then?
I was that kid who was drawing from the moment I could hold a pencil. Throughout my childhood, I was always drawing, painting, carving, or sculpting. My parents were incredibly supportive of my passion for art, so they took me to museums, galleries, theaters, and allowed me to take various art classes throughout my school years. It was only natural for me to be interested in art and to explore this field.
It took me a while to find my own style and vision. During the COVID-19 period, I experimented with different techniques and ideas. Finally, I realised what I wanted to express through my art and how I could do so.
It was only natural for me to be interested in art and to explore this field.
Can you tell us about a specific piece of your artwork that holds particular significance to you, and what inspired its creation?
One of the most important projects for me at the moment is 'RUIN,' which was born in 2021. It was my reflection on war, grief, pain, loss, and destruction it brings. It is dedicated to the memory of all war victims worldwide, to everyone who has suffered from the actions of war, either physically or mentally, and to everyone who has had to face the horrors of war, near or far. 'RUIN' was created as an anti-war statement. Regrettably, its relevance has not diminished, but I sincerely hope that it will someday.
How do you navigate the balance between staying true to your artistic vision and experimenting with new techniques or styles?
Personally, I don't find it difficult. One of my primary goals is to convey emotions and represent the inner states and processes of the human mind and psyche. These are so complex, vast, and diverse that it wouldn't be possible to represent them using just one style and technique. So, it's always a journey of exploration and experimentation, which I find to be one of the most exciting aspects of the creative process.
It's always a journey of exploration and experimentation, which I find to be one of the most exciting aspects of the creative process.
What role do you believe art plays in society, and how do you envision your work contributing to the artistic dialogue?
I firmly believe that art is one of the defining aspects of humanity, and it has the power to make an impact. While it may not instantly solve all problems or cure diseases, it does raise questions, provoke thoughts, and evoke feelings.
As for my artworks, I hope they can raise questions about mental health awareness. I aim to make viewers think about people they know who may be suffering from depression or panic attacks, helping them realize that maybe that's how these individuals feel. My art strives to foster compassion, understanding, and acceptance.
I hope they can raise questions about mental health awareness.
Are there any upcoming projects or themes that you're excited to explore in your future artworks, and if so, what draws you to these ideas?
I would like to continue exploring emotions and mental states through my art. I believe there is still much more to express.
The main goal of my art is to bring inner feelings, emotions, and states to the surface, making them visible and acknowledged.
How do you hope your art will impact viewers, and what message or emotion do you aspire to convey through your creative expressions?
The main goal of my art is to bring inner feelings, emotions, and states to the surface, making them visible and acknowledged. I hope that, for viewers familiar with these states, it provides a sense of not being alone and that others share similar experiences. For those fortunate enough not to have faced such feelings, I hope my art can offer some understanding of what it might be like and, ideally, foster greater empathy.