Aleksandra Pakhanian

You have a background in playback theatre and psychology. How do these two worlds influence your visual art?

Theater and psychology go hand in hand, as both involve emotions, feelings, and the stories of different people. I am learning to listen and hear, to extract subtext from the words spoken. Through a person’s facial expressions, I see more. I encounter hundreds of human stories and destinies, collecting images, words, and feelings. All of this is reflected in my works.

What inspired you to transition from theatre to photography and mixed media?

I have always been involved in photography, but one day I decided that I could take it to a professional level. This happened during my maternity leave when I was able to take a break from the theater and reconsider my desires. However, theater and psychology are still a part of my life. I can’t imagine life without them now.

Your statement describes your works as a “scream” — could you elaborate on what you’re screaming about in this series?

I shout about the feelings of women that they keep silent about. This is my experience, that of my friends, the stories of people I hear in the theater and carry through myself. Feelings that cannot be kept quiet. About loneliness, fatigue, burnout, dissatisfaction with one’s figure, appearance, and the constant search for oneself.

My works address not only female experiences. They are also based on the feelings of the opposite gender. My next series of works will definitely be dedicated to male experiences. “Man. Alone.” – this may be the title of my new project.

The series “Woman. Alone.” touches on the inner states of modern women. What personal emotions or experiences fueled this project?

As a sensitive person, which greatly helps my creativity, I experience a wide range of emotions, such as fatigue from daily life. I often compare myself to others, both in terms of appearance and achievements. The feeling of loneliness is also something I experience.

I often feel the pressure of social norms. It took me time to accept and understand myself in order to create such works. For a long time, I held back my creative impulses, fearing not being accepted. But that is in the past now. Through my work, I communicate with people.

Your pieces challenge structure and embrace chaos. How do you decide when a composition is “complete”?

It’s more of an intuitive feeling. Minimalism is hard for me because for 40 years I didn’t fully express myself, and now I’m finally able to. I have things to say, and I don’t limit my expression in each piece. I allow myself to release a lot. I don’t want there to be any unsaid thoughts. When I feel a “stop” inside, that’s when I stop.

You use vibrant colors and bold contrasts. What role does color play in expressing the invisible?

Color is my theme. I love bright, bold, daring combinations. Color helps me in some works to transition into a scream. But the scream is sometimes louder, sometimes quieter. Colors help balance the statement. And what was hidden, thanks to color and form, comes to life.

Can you tell us more about the bio materials you incorporate — fabrics, beads, embroidery — and how they connect to the body or emotion?

The bio materials I use primarily allow me to feel the work, focus on it, and experience it. After the mixed-media processes, I move with inspiration to digital art. Combining these two styles is like seeing a multidimensional picture of the world, the inner world of my characters, and my response to the pain of others.