Anna Voronina

Year of birth: 1996
Describe your art in three words: Expressive, intuitive, vibrant
Your discipline: As a contemporary Russian artist, I specialize in several areas of painting, including realism, surrealism, pop art, and graphic art, among others. Each of these styles allows me to express different aspects of reality, fantasy, and abstraction. Realism helps me convey the details and depth of the real world, while surrealism opens up space for unconventional, often symbolic interpretations. Pop art, with its bold and provocative elements, enables me to engage with mass culture, and graphic art allows me to experiment with form and texture, creating expressive, minimalist imagery.
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Your work is deeply intuitive and improvisational. How do you decide when a painting is finished?

Also intuitively. I feel a painting is complete when the urge to keep refining it disappears. It’s a kind of internal “click”—a moment when the work starts to “speak” for itself, signaling that it’s ready. This feeling comes when all the elements are in harmony, and adding anything further would only disrupt that balance.

I often compare this process to reading a book: when the story is finished, you simply close the book, knowing that everything has been said. It’s the same with art: a painting must tell its own story, and my job is to recognize the moment it concludes.

As a self-taught artist, what challenges have you faced in developing your unique style, and how have you overcome them?

As a self-taught artist, I have faced numerous challenges on my journey to creating a unique style. One of the most difficult tasks was the lack of an academic background and knowledge that could have provided a solid foundation. I compensated for this through constant self-education: attending exhibitions, studying the works of masters, reading art books, and watching instructional videos. This not only helped me master techniques but also gain a better understanding of what I wanted to express through my paintings.

Another difficulty was internal doubt—the fear that my work might not be taken seriously due to the absence of formal education. However, I turned this into motivation: with every new project, I aimed to prove to myself and my audience that art is not about diplomas but about passion, perseverance, and sincerity.

Finding my style was also a challenge. I experimented with different genres—from realism to surrealism, from graphic art to pop art. At times, it felt like an endless experiment, but I realized that my style is not a static concept but a constantly evolving reflection of my personality. It is the freedom to experiment and the desire to avoid limiting myself within boundaries that keep me moving forward.

The most important thing is not to fear mistakes. Every “failure” becomes a lesson and a step toward something greater.

You draw inspiration from everyday life, animals, and human emotions. Can you share a specific moment or experience that inspired one of your artworks?

Certainly, the most striking example is my painting “Novus Ordo Seclorum,” which I worked on for almost a year, observing global events, my reaction to them, and people’s behavior. The idea was born from everyday experiences and a deep anxiety about the direction humanity is heading.

At first, I was concerned about global issues: mountains of waste, environmental pollution, unemployment. It felt like chaos was becoming an intrinsic part of our lives. Then came the coronavirus pandemic, and I was struck by how people’s behavior changed. For instance, I was outraged by scenes of people willing to stand in massive lines in freezing weather for a burger—a symbol of consumerism that persisted even under extreme circumstances.

Next came the war, and in my painting appeared images reflecting indifference, division, and fear. These events made me reflect more deeply on values, on how we respond to crises, and on how our world transforms in reaction to them.

This work encapsulates my emotions, anxieties, and hopes, which I tried to convey through symbols and imagery, allowing each viewer to find something personal within it.

Your pieces have been exhibited internationally. How has this exposure influenced your creative process and artistic vision?

Exhibiting on an international level became a turning point for me. I finally began to believe in myself and embraced my identity as an artist. This experience opened new horizons and inspired me to move forward.

I have also built an artistic community around me where I can exchange ideas and receive feedback. As a result, my creative energy has multiplied, and my vision of art has become broader and deeper. The international experience has taught me to view art in a global context and to experiment more boldly with new forms and themes.

How do you balance the freedom of self-expression with the expectations of galleries and audiences?

There is no balance in the usual sense—I fully immerse myself in the freedom of self-expression. My paintings are born from my emotions and vision, and I create them in a way that feels right to me. However, when it comes to commissioned work, there is no such freedom: I strictly follow all the client’s wishes and nuances to ensure the result fully meets their expectations.

The situation with exhibitions and galleries is similar: I paint for myself, the way I want and see fit, and then submit my work for consideration. The decision is up to the gallery—whether they accept the work or not. Thus, my creativity always starts with an internal impulse and only later finds its way to the viewer.

Your works are part of the Artseeker gallery collection. What does this partnership mean for you as an artist?

Collaboration with the Artseeker Gallery is a tremendous opportunity for an emerging artist to make a name for themselves and step onto the international stage. For me, this is an important milestone that allows my work to be showcased to a wider audience.

The gallery is relatively new, which means it is actively growing, offering numerous projects, and creating the most comfortable conditions for artists. This partnership provides not only professional growth but also the confidence that my art resonates beyond my usual environment.

You work in various techniques and genres. How do you choose the medium for a particular piece?

I choose the material for my work based on my inner desire and how I want to express the idea. Most often, I use oil paint because it allows me to convey depth and richness of color. However, if the idea calls for a different approach, I may turn to acrylic, graphics, or mirrored mosaic—everything depends on the mood and concept.