Tell a little bit about how you first got into creating art.
I was born and raised in sunlit Uzbekistan, a fascinating country rich with cultural vibrancy and a bright, passionate soul. My artistic journey commenced at a young age, inspired by the natural world and its endless array of colours and forms. Growing up, I was continuously enraptured by my environment; its splendid beauty seemed to echo within my very being, demanding to be expressed on canvas. To me, the beauty seen and felt needs to be splashed out onto a canvas – otherwise, it begins to overwhelm me.
My passion for painting seeped into all aspects of my life. All of my university lecture notes were filled with sketches – candid illustrations of our shared student life – to the point where they had all been taken as souvenirs by my university friends. This unquenchable desire to chronicle my surroundings and experiences laid the foundation of my artistic evolution.
Years later, fate brought me to Cyprus. Under the tutelage of the brilliant artist Miho Ebanoidze, my artistic voice began to find its distinct rhythm. Working en plein air, I revelled in the act of capturing the vibrant energy of life under the Mediterranean sun, exploring the intricate interplay of light and shadow, and finding beauty in everyday scenes. Over several years, I have come a long way: my first group and solo exhibitions, my first personal online store, my first local and global sales. Each new milestone was an exhilarating blend of trepidation and anticipation. It was a time of self-discovery and introspection as I explored various styles, weathered creative setbacks, and celebrated fortunate artistic revelations. It was during this period that I truly understood the central role art has played in my life – it is my essence, my passion, my language, and the pathway to my personal and professional growth.
To me, the beauty seen and felt needs to be splashed out onto a canvas – otherwise, it begins to overwhelm me
Upon moving to Ireland, my artistic expression underwent a significant evolution. Drawn by the ethereal beauty of the emerald Irish landscapes, I began to unravel the enigmatic language of abstract expressionism. The transition was as much an emotional journey as it was an artistic one. Each canvas I approach in this new style is an intimate conversation, a dialogue without words, invoking not just a visual appeal but an emotional response. It is an opportunity to explore a new facet of this world and myself, a journey I look forward to every day. It is an ongoing process of discovery, a manifestation of love, joy, and a celebration of the human spirit. Today, as I continue to evolve and grow, the art remains my compass, guiding me through life's complexities and joys.
Do you work from memory, life, photographs, or from other resources? Describe your creative process.
Creating art for me is a transcendental experience. When I stand before a canvas, palette in hand, I feel both exultant and removed from everything else.
In the past, my art emerged from the vibrancy and energy of Cyprus. Autumn through spring, I drove around the island with a palette and an easel, capturing everything from the sea and the mountains to villages, flowers, and cats. The plein air process is a deeply immersive one, steeped in direct observation and sensory experience, which allowed me to connect with my surroundings on a deeper level and weave my fleeting thoughts into brush strokes.
My paintings are like open-ended questions, and I value the unique interpretations and responses they elicit
My transition into abstract expressionism was as much pivotal as it was accidental. Over a year ago, I found myself yearning to paint on a day when the weather conspired against me – the skies were grey, and a relentless rain drummed against my window. The day had cast a specific mood, and I was filled with dreamlike introspective thoughts. Instead of succumbing to the weather, I took up a canvas and began pouring my dreams and thoughts into it, uninhibited by the need for physical references or apparent realities. As I navigated through this unfamiliar territory, I experienced a thrilling mix of apprehension and exhilaration. There were moments of uncertainty where my brushes hesitated, but there were also moments of discovery that came as unexpected treasures. With each painting, I found myself inching closer to an artistic language that felt intensely personal, one that resonated with my essence. Through this process, I have come to realize that abstract expressionism is not merely a style but a language that allows me to articulate my most profound thoughts and emotions, making it an integral part of my artistic identity and growth.
What is important to you about the visual experiences you create?
When I look at my previous works, it is akin to revisiting a diary. Each piece I create becomes a snapshot, preserving the nuances of my feelings and thoughts, be they a spectral glimmer of hope, lingering sadness, an elusive question (“what if…”) or a burst of pure joy. I find that the core emotion threading these visual narratives is invariably hope, which takes on different forms and hues, sometimes appearing as a ghostly wisp, at other times blooming in radiant and assertive colours.
What is truly important to me about these visual experiences is their capacity not only to archive my emotional journey but also to ignite a connection with the viewer. I create art not as a monologue but as an invitation to a dialogue. My paintings are like open-ended questions, and I value the unique interpretations and responses they elicit. It is my hope that each viewer, while engaging with my art, will embark on their own journey of introspection, perhaps recognising a reflection of their own emotions, experiences, and questions within the shapes, colours, and textures. This exchange of emotional energy is not only therapeutic but also serves to remind us of our shared human experiences.
What artists or movements have had an impact on you?
My artistic journey has been shaped by the influences of various artists and movements that have resonated with me at different stages. During my period of painting landscapes and taverns, the freshness and vibrancy of French Impressionism were my guiding light. The masters of this movement, with their unique ability to evoke the rustling of leaves in the wind and the fragrance of the fields, inspired me to imbue my own art with a similar sensory richness. As my style evolved, however, so did my sources of inspiration. My recent turn towards abstract expressionism has been deeply influenced by the works of Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Joan Mitchell. I am enchanted by the mesmerising interplay of form, colour, and emotion in their art. The magic they weave on canvas, liberating expression from the constraints of form, resonates with my current approach to painting.
