The Way I Feel, The Way I See

This exhibition brings together two bodies of work that explore identity, perception, and
transformation through fine art portraiture. Moving between self-portraiture and conceptual
portraits of children, the work reflects both an internal and external way of seeing.

The Way I Feel presents self-portraiture as an intuitive and symbolic response to personal
experience. These images are shaped by emotion and informed by visual dialogues with artists
who have influenced me. A feminine reinterpretation of The Son of Man becomes a point of
departure, while references to Yayoi Kusama appear in the repetition of red polka dots, and a
quiet nod to Zinaida Serebriakova informs the exploration of femininity and presence. Subtle
surreal elements run throughout, creating a visual language that reflects emotional complexity
rather than literal narrative.

The Way I See turns toward children as subjects, where portraiture becomes a metaphor for life
and transformation. In the Russian language, there is a saying: “children are the flowers of life.”
This idea is embedded in each image through the integration of natural elements—flowers and
organic forms—that become symbols of growth, fragility, and change. The children are
presented in a space between reality and imagination, suggesting a state of becoming rather
than a fixed identity.

Together, these works form a dialogue between inner experience and observation. The Way I
Feel, The Way I See reflects a continuous movement between emotion and perception, where
both are inseparable in shaping how we understand ourselves and others.