Tatiana Semkova

Year of birth: 1983
Your education: Higher Education, Institute of Design and Technology, OmSTU (formerly Omsk State Institute of Service), Designer
Describe your art in three words: Drama, Symbolism, Decorativeness
Your discipline: Design, oil painting, illustration
Website | Instagram

Your artwork reflects both fairy tales and deep emotional experiences. Can you tell us more about the themes you explore in your paintings?

In my work, I truly explore themes that at first glance may seem contradictory. On one hand, there is the enchantment, lightness, and charm of a fantastical world, and on the other, profound emotional intensity reflecting real life. For instance, in the painting “The Princess’s Bath,” I delve into the fragility and simultaneously the strength of a woman. Heroism and vulnerability go hand in hand. At its core lies the theme of societal expectations and the weight of the masks one must wear.

The flowers surrounding the characters can symbolize the beauty and abundance of life, but they also serve as a reminder of its fragility and impermanence. Through such contrasts, one can partially grasp the essence of my work: fantasy always walks alongside reality, and behind every vibrant, lively moment, darkness and uncertainty inevitably linger.

You describe your princesses as fragile but strong at the same time. How do you express this duality through your use of color and composition?

I strive to convey the duality of princesses through a combination of contrasting elements. In *”The Princess’s Bath,”* for instance, there is a female figure set against a vibrant red and golden background. The deliberately crimson hue evokes associations with life energy, passion, or even blood. The golden elements lend the work a sense of majesty and divinity. At the same time, the absence of a face in the protagonist hints at her anonymity—an anonymity that borders on a loss of individuality.

I use smooth body lines to emphasize the tenderness and vulnerability of the heroines, while rich colors like deep blue, gold, or bright red speak of their strength and inner resilience. Compositionally, I often create a sense of “enclosed space”—as if the character exists within their own world, surrounded by patterns and symbols. This symbolizes both the hero’s sense of protection and their isolation.

Tatiana Semkova, Waves of Life

Many of your works seem to balance fantasy and reality. What role does symbolism play in your creative process?

I believe that symbolism plays a key role. I derive deep satisfaction when a piece not only provides aesthetic pleasure but also presents itself to the viewer as an encoded story, one that can be read and unraveled, revealing something new each time. For instance, in the painting “Saudade,” the dove in the heroine’s hands becomes a symbol of peace, freedom, or hope, while her black silhouette symbolizes mystery and an inner world hidden from the viewer’s eyes.

The background in my paintings plays an important role. Being inseparable from the characters, it more fully and vividly reveals their images, thoughts, and emotions. Golden elements are not only a reference to something sacred but also a symbol of light, abundance, wisdom, and the pursuit of something greater. Flowers point to the cyclical nature of life, the beauty of a moment, and its transience. The language of symbols allows my paintings to contain multiple layers of interpretation, ranging from simple visual pleasure to reflections on the meaning of life.

You mention that behind the bright colors and fairy-tale motifs, there are themes of sadness, disappointment, and war. How do you reconcile these darker themes with the outward beauty of your work?

I believe that in life, as in art, there is no clear separation between the beautiful and the tragic. These aspects always coexist. In my works, external beauty often acts as a mask or facade, behind which deeper, more complex, and sometimes heavy emotions are hidden. For instance, in the painting *”Parade of Worlds,”* soft colors, geometric shapes, and shiny elements create a sense of uplift, purposefulness, movement toward a goal, and an ordering of existence. In contrast, the main characters appear as sad, bodiless shadows—lost entities filled with detachment from their surroundings and a deep discomfort bordering on suffering.

We do not know why the characters are in such a state. Is it external circumstances beyond their control that led them to this, or are they simply like this by nature? Or perhaps the world around them is not as beautiful, orderly, and reliable as it seems?

This contrast allows me to show that even in the darkest times, it is possible—and necessary—to seek beauty and inner strength. Life is full of such contrasts, and through my works, I strive to speak about the complexity of human nature and life experience as a whole.

Tatiana Semkova, Friday

What is the significance of the recurring floral motifs in your work, especially in relation to the emotional and psychological themes you explore?

For me, flowers are a universal symbol of life, beauty, elegance, and fragility. They can be interpreted in various ways: as a sign of the celebration of life, love, fertility, or as a reminder of the transience of existence. In *”The Princess’s Bath”* and *”Saudade,”* floral motifs enhance the sense of nature’s presence, while simultaneously becoming part of a decorative ornament that frames complex human emotions.

Flowers can also serve as a kind of barrier between the subject and the viewer. They create a sense of distance and space that must be traversed to understand the essence of the artwork. I enjoy this effect—it invites deeper reflection and establishes an intimate dialogue between the work and the viewer.

You have been working in design and creative projects for 20 years. How has your experience in design influenced your painting style?

I am a multidisciplinary artist, and painting has become one of the key areas of my work. Design and creating designer products alone were no longer enough for me—I felt a profound need to communicate with the audience specifically through painting.

My extensive experience in design strongly influences my painting. Design taught me to appreciate composition, color harmony, and attention to detail. For example, the recurring patterns and vibrant color accents in my paintings originate from my many years of work in textile design. Now, the themes of my paintings are transforming into fabric prints and patterns that I incorporate into my collections of home textiles and clothing.

International recognition provides confidence that my creations are both original and in demand, and that my work resonates with the audience. Engaging with diverse cultures inspires me to experiment, helps me see the universality of my themes, and teaches me to communicate in a language that is accessible to everyone. This influence is evident in my work today, especially in the way I blend traditional imagery with a contemporary approach.

Tatiana Semkova, Saudade