KATERINA BELKINA | AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH
KATERINA BELKINA
BY ARIEL SU

Originally published in the International Lens Magazine for Fine Art Photography

” It has always been fascinating to explore the psychology of people’s relationships with each other and with the outside world, to give shape to human emotions. For example, to take joy, despondency, indifference, rapture, and jealousy to pieces. Feelings are abstract; therefore, it is so interesting to look for and find the form of their visualization. “

Art Market Magazine: Many thanks, Katerina, for taking the time for this interview. It’s a pleasure to feature your unique photography style.
Let’s start with your background in art and photography. Can you share with lens magazine’s readers your journey? What was the main thing that drew you into being a professional artist?
Did you come from a creative family?

Katerina Belkina: Thank you, it’s a pleasure having this interview.
Yes, I grew up in an artistic environment; most of my family members are artists or mathematicians; among them, most of the men in my family were so passionate about photography, and I inherited a boundless interest in photography from them. As a child, I signed up for a photography course, kind of a children’s club, where I learned to shoot on film, develop it myself, and print.
A bit later, I got my first camera. I was fortunate to receive so much passion and love for the arts from my mother,
a fabulous painter herself. I used to practice in both fields, drawing and photography, and during the years,
I started to develop my own artistic style and technique, which I see as a unique method of communication with a viewer.

Art Market Magazine: Can you describe the workflow of your creation from the point of the concept to the final outcome?

Katerina Belkina: In the beginning, I found myself in some strong emotions connected with the circumstance and place. This is the starting point.
Then I want to translate these emotions into the plane of utterance. At that very moment, when I realize what kind of character I have to be for creating the artwork or a project, and what kind of task is in front of me in this particular story, then all that remains is to create a new world for the character or figures. Then some research begins and the wave of insights. What, where, how. The brain raises questions and solves these tasks instantly.
I flow with the energy and let my brain choose the answers the world intended to. Sometimes it feels as if I do not even have to invest the time to half-think; ideas just float to the surface.
I just need to select the most suitable details and ideas. This is such a quest. I’m getting more and more excited by it all.
During this period, I had a lot of daydreaming and sometimes did some sketches. After all, discoveries usually come in their imaginary visual way, then I do the shooting, and then I continue to the digital drawing.

Art Market Magazine: What can you tell us about the post-production/editing of the images? What kind of programs are you using? Do you do the post-production yourself?

Katerina Belkina: My art is a digital painting based on photography. First, I shoot, combine several frames into one in photoshop, and then start the painting on the top in additional layers, as if I was painting with real brushes and oil paint. But I paint it in the program. I work a lot to create and add many details that are not existing in the original photos, so here, my skills in drawing get the full meaning. This long drawing process usually takes over one month for each artwork.

Art Market Magazine: In your latest series, “dream walkers, 2017 – 2020”, you created a unique project based on the Grimm brothers fairy-tales, with a strong influence of the masters’ artistic style from the early 19 century. Where do the ideas for new projects come from?

Katerina Belkina: The “dream walker” project was indeed influenced by the 19-century style. I have been inspired by particular art periods in two of my projects. I found in Grimm’s fairy-tales a lot of inspiration that couldn’t come from the surrounding outside reality. The project is more of an autobiographical story (as, in general, an aspect that is typical in my work). This project is mainly about wanderers, figures that are in search of their place in this world. But those who find no place but themselves.
The project reflects my need as well to find the place I can call home. At some point, I realized that these wanderings have long been described in the most understandable language for both adults and children. I grew up on fairy tales, illustrated them from my early childhood. I especially loved the Grimm brothers’ tails.
So how are ideas appear to artists or authors? Where do they come from? I think the place and situation dictates. This is what is called inspiration. Then our brain invites us to make a puzzle from the whole variety of images, knowledge, and impressions that we have gathered for life till this moment. Then some trigger is enough, and bam! Everything comes to the right place, converges at one point. It seems that a theme itself chooses the author.
But, at the same time, I was aware that Grimm’s tales are the last thing that will be interesting for the sophisticated viewer of contemporary art in Europe, and even more so on other continents.
But I am stubborn and decided to accept the challenge, to connect the times of enlightenment and earlier, with our days. The atmosphere of the local nature became this bridge, and probably it turned this project towards romanticism stylistically. I didn’t resist.

Art Market Magazine: Most of your study and work experience comes from your Russian background in samara and Moscow. Do you think there’s an influence of Russian culture on your work?

Katerina Belkina: Of course! I believe that the origin of each person, the place where we were born, grew up and accumulated the surrounded culture, mentality, and the language we use, creates our character. It gives meaning to our expression.

Art Market Magazine: Your “Zweiraumwohnung” series is extremely different, created between 2017 – 2020. It seems like a more personal, modern project describing everyday life. What led you to do this very urban, personal project? Is it an allegory to the changes in your personal life?

Katerina Belkina: Yes, you are right, again, the circumstances. The appearance of a child in the family makes us more grounded to stay in the “nest.” But our thoughts are free, and the internet also allows us mentally be anywhere. I realized that no one simultaneously lives in two lives as if dividing – one for the body, the other for the mind. And our poor souls have to balance, connecting these two existences. Who could have foreseen that the series would be prophetic at the time of pandemic when the whole world was locked up at home.

Art Market Magazine: Your work has been featured in Sotheby’s auctions, published in international publications, and you recently published a new book named “Katerina Belkina – my work is my personal theatre.”
A 252 pages beautiful book featuring a collection of your outstanding work. Would you say you have reached your goal?

Katerina Belkina: There are people with goals, and I am not one of them. But I’m an adherent of the process.
I need to be in a variety of creative processes, preferably where there is something to learn. If we talk about some achievements, these are necessary points in an artist biography invented by the system.
My latest book (www.Belkina.Art/publications/) is just an exception – it is a way of communication, the same as an artwork itself. I would wish for myself the opportunity to implement large, expensive projects.

Art Market Magazine: You will be exhibiting your art at the upcoming Discovery Art Fair Frankfurt 2021, which will take place on November 4-7. Which works of art will you exhibit there? Is it a limited edition, and in what sizes?

Katerina Belkina: Yes, I’m very excited to participate in the upcoming discovery art fair in Frankfurt; it will be an excellent opportunity to present the “Zweiraumwohnung” series as well as several artworks from the latest “dream walkers.” Project. All the prints are small in size and in a limited edition.

Art Market Magazine: In general, tell us about the current position in your career. Which galleries represent you? Where can we find your works of art for sale?

Katerina Belkina: My work is mainly represented by private galleries in Europe, and I’m very honored to say that my position in the art market has been ranking in the past years. So it’s beautiful to see the development, and it’s very flattering to see the viewers’ and collectors’ reactions to my work.
More information about the art and the galleries can be found on my website.

Art Market Magazine: As an artist with many years of experience, what advice will you give to the young artistic generation who try to succeed in the field?

Katerina Belkina: I believe there are two essential things in essence: First, expand your knowledge, whether by academic studies or self-education; it’s necessary to practice in different fields until you find the one you feel more connected to. Choose to focus on the art style/ field or technique where the expression comes most naturally for you.
The hours spent on what we love is the key importance, but only if the process truly interests us. At the same time, no one will cancel the routine. Inspiration is nothing else than a cocktail of interest and regular work.
Secondly, open your eyes and look around, collect the moments that are so bright and so beautiful, even little details and some nice seconds. This will inspire you. That is all you can use. It will also give you strength for having powerful moments and serve you in the weaker times. These are your tools.

Katerina Belkina’s work will be exhibited at the upcoming art KARLSRUHE art fair, represented by Berlin-based Galerie Z22, Germany on February 17-20, 2022.

Read the full article in Art Market Magazine Issue #65