Birch Weekdays
2021-2024
One day, my life was split into a "before" and an "after." Since then, I've been searching for something that connects my old and new homes — both of which are integral parts of who I am. My mind relentlessly tries to build bridges between them, exploring their similarities and differences, seeking something spiritually shared.
Paper, pencils, acrylic
21 × 29.7 cm
Series “Birch Weekdays”
The strongest and most stable of these bridges turned out to be the birch tree. This image — so simple and warm — comes from the deepest corners of my life, my environment, and my culture. To my delight, I discovered that the birch also holds a special place in German culture. In German literature, music, painting, and old traditions, the birch is often seen as a symbol of life, renewal, and hope.
Ceramics
Series “Birch Weekdays”
The birch trees in my paintings are sometimes self-portraits, and sometimes representations of the female form in general. Through this tree, I try to express my inner state, emotions, and thoughts, while exploring the deeper layers of female identity and its role in contemporary society.
The birch, with its graceful form and resilience, becomes a symbol of both female strength and vulnerability. It reflects the complexity of femininity — from softness and flexibility to endurance and fortitude. With these works, I aim to show how deeply rooted social stereotypes and gender roles affect women’s lives and their sense of self.
Through the metaphor of the birch, I want to express the necessity of rethinking traditional views on women’s roles in society. It’s time to shift outdated perceptions and build a new, more flexible and multifaceted understanding of femininity. The birch, often seen as a symbol of life and renewal, becomes in my work a symbol of transformation and inner change — the kind of change I seek within myself.
The works were exhibited at the "Palto" gallery during Cosmoscow at the Manege, and at the "Sphere and Cross" fair at the Writers’ House in Peredelkino.
