Anastasia Petrenko

Year of birth: 1986.
Describe your art in three words: Vitality, Grotesqueness, Metaphysicality.
Your discipline: Painting, Graphics.
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Your artistic statement mentions exploring the psychological structure of the human being. How do you translate such complex concepts into visual forms?

I use various shapes and colors to convey emotions and states. For example, sharp lines and dark shades can symbolize anxiety or stress, while soft forms and light colors may reflect calmness and harmony.  

Color is a powerful tool for transmitting mood and emotions.  

I strive to create simple, concise forms that evoke deep thoughts and interpretations, leaving room for personal perception.  

Additionally, I employ visual metaphors that trigger associations, allowing viewers to interpret psychological states through their personal experiences.  

All of this helps create visual imagery that conveys the complexity and multifaceted nature of human psychology in an abstract form.  

The interplay between image and background is central to your work. How do you approach creating this tension in your compositions?

As an artist, I perceive the interaction between image and background as a dance of entities, where each finds its place in infinite space. This tension arises from spatial relationships, which become a metaphor for the inner world, where every layer reveals new horizons of perception.  

The interaction between the image and the background becomes an integral part of the artistic expression, with every detail playing its role in creating a shared emotional resonance.  

Anastasia Petrenko | The Spawning Season Sometimes Comes in Autumn | 2009

Your works feature biomorphic and archetypal forms. What inspires the shapes and symbols you choose to incorporate?

I draw inspiration from the depths of human experience and nature. For me, biomorphic and archetypal forms reflect universal themes that permeate our lives.  

I choose shapes that resonate with instinctive feelings, evoking associations with the organic and primal. These forms become a bridge between the inner world and external reality, allowing viewers to connect with something deeper and more meaningful.  

The symbols I use are based on archetypes familiar to all of us. They serve as a language that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries, creating space for interpretation and reflection.  

Thus, my choice of shapes and symbols is not merely an aesthetic act but an exploration and understanding of the human essence, where every line and curve becomes part of a shared narrative that unveils new horizons of perception.  

How has your education and training, including the course in color theory at Toni&Guy and your studies at the Stieglitz Academy, influenced your artistic practice?

I see education and training as light that penetrates the dark corners of imagination, revealing new perspectives and opportunities. It is a process where knowledge becomes paint, and skills become brushes, enabling the creation of unique works.  

Education forms the foundation upon which the creative process is built, providing tools for experimentation and self-expression. It broadens horizons, allowing for the fusion, reinterpretation, and transformation of ideas, much like an artist blends colors on a palette.  

Training also inspires dialogue between tradition and modernity, creating space for the interplay between the past and the future.  

Thus, education and training are integral to the creative journey, where every encounter with an idea or technique enriches the artist’s inner world, enabling the creation of works that resonate with the depths of human experience.  

Anastasia Petrenko | They Are Watching Us from a Satellite | 2009

What role does spontaneity play in your creative process, and how do you balance it with rational control?

Spontaneity in my creative process is the spark that ignites the fire of inspiration. It allows me to immerse myself in a flow of emotions and intuition, where every line and color emerges from an internal impulse, free from constraints. It’s a moment when I allow myself to be vulnerable, open to new possibilities and unexpected turns.  

However, as an artist, I also understand the importance of rational control. It acts as a compass that guides my exploration, enabling me to structure chaos and give shape to spontaneous ideas. The balance between these two forces is a dance where spontaneity breathes life and control gives it meaning.  

I strive for harmony, letting spontaneity lead me while staying mindful of how it fits within the broader context of my work. This interplay gives rise to pieces that reflect both the inner world and external reality, creating space for dialogue and reflection.  

Your work often creates a conflict between flatness and perspective. What emotions or reactions are you hoping to evoke in the viewer?

I aim to evoke a sense of uncertainty, prompting the viewer to contemplate what lies beyond the visible. It’s like gazing into an abyss where flatness becomes a window into a multi-layered reality.  

The emotions I hope to evoke are a mixture of wonder and introspection. I want the viewer to feel the tension between the familiar and the unfamiliar, between what seems recognizable and what raises questions. It’s an invitation to dialogue, where everyone can interpret the work through their own experiences, creating a unique connection with the piece.  

Thus, my artistic language becomes a space for exploration, where the conflict between flatness and perspective opens doors to new emotions and understanding, allowing the viewer to delve into endless possibilities of interpretation.  

Anastasia Petrenko | Sitting | 2024

How do you see the relationship between your art and the collective unconscious?

My art is a mirror of the collective unconscious, where every stroke and color becomes a symbol of shared fears and hopes. It creates a bridge between the individual and the universal, allowing viewers to recognize that their experiences are part of the broader human condition.  

Engaging with my works awakens collective memories, weaving personal stories into a single thread that stretches across generations. Each interpretation is a step toward understanding our shared place in the vast canvas of life.