Few of us know how to speak about feelings and emotions, about what’s inside you. Since childhood, I have always been curious why does someone mobilize and do everything possible in a particular situation, while someone else throws up their hands and goes into hysterics? I also find it incredibly difficult to talk about feelings out loud. Especially if those feelings are negative. Few people were taught as children how to experience them.
This series explores the five basic human emotions: joy, sadness, anger, fear, and surprise. My use of color and composition is carefully considered to evoke the specific emotional tone of each piece. The series is intended to encourage introspection and open dialogue about the human experience of emotions.
Sadness
Sadness has been my constant companion, guiding me through the labyrinth of emotions that shape my existence. It is a feeling I embrace, not as a burden, but as a source of profound understanding and empathy. Through sadness, I have learned to adapt to the ever-changing tides of life, finding solace in the depths of my own introspection.
My artistic journey began in the fertile soil of adolescence, where I discovered a sanctuary in the embrace of melancholy. It was during this period that I delved into the depths of my emotions, pouring my heart onto canvases and pages. Melancholy, for me, is not a sign of weakness but a wellspring of creativity, a catalyst for growth and transformation.
My melancholic nature stems from a keen awareness of the world’s imperfections, a sensitivity to the chasm between my ideals and the realities of human existence. Yet, it is this very sensitivity that allows me to connect with others on a deeper level, to empathize with their pain and offer solace through my art.
Sadness serves as my protective armor, shielding me from the harshness of the world while simultaneously opening my heart to its beauty and fragility. It is a paradox, a bittersweet symphony that has shaped my life and enriched my art.
Joy
Joy is a state of the entire organism. It is born from within and radiates outward. It engulfs the whole body, with no specific location. When we are joyful, all movements are light and effortless. Even our gait becomes more dance-like. Joy is difficult to track, difficult to fake. It is hard to define something specific about it, very difficult to capture.
Making portraits of laughing and smiling people in a way that captures a sincere smile and smiling eyes is a very challenging task. It is much easier to capture sadness, sorrow, longing, and loneliness than genuine joy. Typically, we savor our sufferings carefully as they hold a lot of meaning. Happy moments are often taken for granted and overlooked. Joy is similar to happiness, it is made up of little things. And the harder it is to notice and preserve.
Joy is caring for loved ones, caring for oneself. It is the opportunity to be warm when the weather is bad outside. It is beautiful music, the smell of apples and cinnamon, a dog sleeping at your feet, children’s laughter, a bus driver blowing you an air kiss, meetings with friends, conversations, positive feedback about your work — all of this fills you with joy and serves as a motivation to keep moving forward…
