Anastasia Gofman

Year of birth: 1985
Where do you live: Sarasota, Florida
Your discipline: My artistic practice centers around abstract mixed media, where I combine materials such as textured paste, gold leaf, mirrors, stones, and epoxy resin to create dynamic and textured surfaces.
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Your art explores the concept of unity and overcoming the illusion of separation. How do you approach this theme in your work, and how does it manifest visually?

My art is a kind of conduit, through which I myself live and transmit a deep transformation: the realization of the unity of all things. In my works, I want to dispel the illusion of separation that envelops our perception.

This concept permeates all the images to which I turn. Look at my canvases: it seems that a flower is separated from a rock, and the octopus tentacles live their own independent lives.

It is through this seeming separateness, through this fragile border between “me” and “other,” that I lead the viewer to the realization of deep interconnectedness. For example, octopus tentacles, although seemingly independent, obey a single will, a single mind.

Visually, this manifests in the flow of forms, in soft, blurred boundaries, in the use of a palette that emphasizes the overall harmony of the world. I strive to create a sense of pulsation, vibration, energy that connects all the elements of the painting into a single whole.

My goal is not just to show unity, but to give the viewer the opportunity to feel it, to feel it, to be imbued with a sense of interconnectedness and to understand that we are all part of one huge space.

The combination of materials such as gold and stones plays a significant role in your work. Could you explain the symbolic meaning behind these elements and how they contribute to your message?

Each of my works is a striving to connect the material and the spiritual, the inner and the outer. I create multi-layered meanings using volume, mirrors, gold, and stones. The mirrors in my works are not just a reflection of reality, but a conductor into oneself. Gazing into them, we understand that the external world is only a projection of the internal.
Gold is a symbol of the highest spiritual energy, a reminder of the light living within us. Stones are a symbol of connection with nature, with its primordial power and stability. Their combination creates a dynamic interaction, and, moving around, you can change the perception of space.
Thus, these elements become a bridge to the world of sensory cognition, where I invite the viewer to get acquainted with themselves and to know the inseparable connection with the world.

Anastasia Gofman | Unity | 2024

In your statement, you mention the balance between emotions and intellect. How do you balance these two forces within your creative process?

I explore and transform the world by creating beauty, both internal and external, and I carry this beauty through art. And I find ways to achieve balance in the world. I see that feelings and reason are the two wings of human existence. Only by balancing them can we get closer to the truth.

Your work invites the viewer to reflect on their inner world. How do you hope your audience engages with your pieces and experiences this reflection?

My works are mirrors, reflecting not only external reality, but also serving as a bridge to the viewer’s inner world.
I hope that, by interacting with them, the viewer will see a reflection of their own “self,” and realize that the world around them is a projection of their inner state.
If there is “ignorance” present in this reflection, let it not be a reason for criticism, but a starting point for self-knowledge.
The viewer’s task is not to “break the mirror,” turning away from the unpleasant truth, but to heal themselves, find balance between feelings and reason, and realize the unity of all things.
I strive for my works to become a catalyst for this process, inspiring inner transformation and helping everyone to see in themselves the light, harmony, and inseparable connection with the world.

Anastasia Gofman | Iillusion of separation | 2024

Can you share how your studies in meta-spirituality and art communication influence your art practice today?

Meta-spirituality guides my choice of themes and images, prompting me to create works that carry spiritual meaning. Art communication shapes my approach to materials such as mirrors, gold, and stones.
Mirrors, for example, cease to be mere reflections, becoming a tool for self-analysis and for the viewer to realize their role in the world. Research in the field of art communication allows me to find new ways to interact with the audience, creating works that evoke a deep response.
As a result, my artistic practice has gained greater awareness and purposefulness. I strive to create works that not only please the eye but also inspire inner transformation, helping the viewer to see in themselves the light, harmony, and inseparable connection with the world.

Your transition from running a business to dedicating yourself fully to art is quite profound. What prompted this change, and how has it impacted your artistic journey?

My transition from running a business to fully dedicating myself to art was triggered by profound personal changes. After moving to another country, I faced difficulties adapting, anxieties, and a loss of direction. This forced me to rethink my life and seek new ways of self-expression.
During this period of spiritual searching, I discovered art. It consumed me completely, and I surrendered to this flow, exploring different techniques, learning, and practicing. I tried to convey my inner world onto the canvas, and gradually this became not just creativity, but a way of communicating with the world, a way to convey spiritual meanings.
This transition completely changed my artistic journey. Art became my voice, a way to express what cannot be expressed in words. And my previous experience in business, strangely enough, turned out to be very useful. It taught me purposefulness, organization, and a professional approach to business, which allowed me to seriously engage in art and share my work with the world.

Anastasia Gofman | Creator | 2024

What advice would you give to other artists seeking to convey deeper, spiritual meanings through their work?

My main piece of advice for artists striving for spiritual depth: seek your own path to unity. Don’t try to copy other people’s formulas, but explore your inner world, your feelings, and your experiences.
Firstly, be honest with yourself and listen to yourself. Art is a sincere expression of your soul.
Secondly, immerse yourself in studying the world. Study nature, philosophy, spiritual traditions, science. The more attention you pay to spiritual depth, the greater your understanding of the interconnectedness of everything in the world will be.
Thirdly, experiment. Don’t be afraid to step outside of the familiar. Gold, stones, mirrors – these are tools that, in skilled hands, can become powerful conduits of spiritual energy.
Fourthly, give the viewer space for co-creation. Let them, looking at your work, feel a connection to the world, see a reflection of their own soul, come to their own understanding of unity.
And be patient. Spiritual meanings are not revealed instantly. It takes time to realize their depth and learn to express them through art. Believe in yourself, move forward, trust the flow, and you will find your unique way to convey these meanings to the world.

Anastasia Gofman | Reflection of the inner world | 2024