A Journey Through Reflection and Identity
“The concept of reflection is central to my work. Who am I? What can I give to nature? How can I change society?” These profound questions, posed by Katerina Belkina, frame her deeply introspective artistic vision. With a distinctive visual language that blends photography and painting techniques, Belkina invites us into a realm where abstract emotions take tangible form, urging viewers to reevaluate themselves and their place in society.
The Power of Portraiture
Through her practice of portraiture, Belkina captures the nuanced layers of human interaction. Her early works focus on self-portraiture, merging artist and subject in a delicate interplay of intimacy and detachment. The realism in her photographs transitions seamlessly into painterly depictions, creating a compelling exploration of how the body manifests emotions. “I started to investigate my inspirations… This transformed into learning more about myself through an attempt to trace the process of creation of world masterpieces,” says Belkina.
Dismantling Social Constructs
Identity, often shaped by societal norms, is a central theme in Belkina’s work. She challenges these constructs through portraits that reinterpret archetypes found in fairy tales, encouraging her audience to separate fact from fiction in their own lives. “For me, the color is of the same importance in the composition as a form is… a good artist’s subconscious works quicker than the conscious does to select a correct decision,” she reflects. Her reimagined narratives allow viewers to confront and question the personal and shared experiences shaped by generational traditions.
Exploring Dichotomies and Freedom
Belkina’s later works delve into dichotomies such as masculine versus feminine and beauty versus disgust. Common urban settings, often populated by women reveling in their freedom, subtly critique the pervasive, unseen male gaze. These images evoke a sense of both familiarity and surrealism, compelling the viewer to reconsider everyday spaces and the narratives they uphold. “I think visual images are a direct way to our feelings, and they can very strongly influence our minds,” Belkina emphasizes.
Beyond Human Limitations
The culmination of Layers of Self reflects Belkina’s romanticized escape from human limitations and earthly struggles. Her surreal, almost alien landscapes invite viewers to meditate on the tension between permanence and impermanence. Within these dreamlike worlds, the fluidity of identity is laid bare, offering multiple interpretations of who we are based on personal and societal roles. “Seeing through the interpretations illuminated within Belkina’s works, we uncover truths about ourselves and the narratives we perpetuate,” the artist reveals.
Her exhibition, Layers of Self, is currently on display at Zarastro Art and will run through April 30, 2025, inviting audiences to peel back the intricate layers of her art and the humanity it represents.
