Karina Savina (Dilan)

Year of birth: 1992.
Where do you live: I currently live in Belgrade, Serbia.
Your education: Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture named after Ilya Glazunov – Faculty of Architecture.
Describe your art in three words: Feelings, Co-creation, Life.
Website | Instagram

Your art explores the delicate interaction between human feelings, nature, and abstract expression. Could you tell us more about how you find inspiration in these themes?

I truly believe that feelings and states of being are what unite us. They exist within each of us! If we remove reflection, set aside experiences and events, what remains are feelings. And when we share them, they become unconditional. It is like experiencing a moment, making a discovery, stripping away unnecessary layers to reveal the pure and sincere core—a feeling. And everyone can sense it! Each in their own way, with unique shades, yet always deeply and genuinely.

This process is not about reflection; it is about exploration. And perhaps, to create such states, one must be inspired by Life itself. To love exploring it, to dive into the inner world, and to discover emotional treasures—each time finding something new!

I see this path as follows: inspiration comes from life and what you do. Imagine: what am I feeling? What do I want to feel? How do I see it? What can I unconditionally and truly share with others? And that is where a new exploration and a new artwork begin.

In your works, you combine watercolor and digital graphics. How do you approach merging traditional and digital media to create harmony in your pieces?

I discovered this technique not long ago, but it became the answer to how I could combine abstraction with vibrant, expressive imagery. After all, harmony is something whole, where the lightness of a living material like watercolor meets precise, delicate lines. Watercolor allows for the creation of a dreamlike space through fluid transitions, splashes, and organic flows, while digital graphics add structure and accents.

Harmony is also achieved by allowing the viewer to immerse themselves in the artwork through color, form, and recognizable imagery that embodies feelings and symbolism. This is especially evident in my piece “Will”: the gaze in the painting is intense, deep, and alive, while the watercolor and its depth of color evoke the sensation of a summer storm—both turbulent and peaceful, filled with the force of nature.

The creative process itself is always an unpredictable journey. It starts as a dance with watercolor, without expectations, simply enjoying the fluidity of the medium. Then comes the immersion in lines, the search for an image within oneself that naturally extends the watercolor abstraction. Each time, it is an exploration with an unknown destination!

Karina Savina | Unity | 2025

The theme of unity is central in your work “Unity”, where the pomegranate symbolizes this concept. Why did you choose the pomegranate as a symbol?

For me, the pomegranate is a vivid embodiment of unity, and I believe everyone can feel it. Imagine: we are all like its seeds! Each of us is unique, one-of-a-kind, yet closely connected, even when separated by the illusion of time, space, or roles.

The pomegranate conveys a sense of juicy closeness, community, and interconnectedness. And, most importantly, we all share the same tree.

You mention experimenting with unconventional materials. What new techniques or materials are you currently exploring, and how do they influence your art?

It has always been difficult for me to focus on just one direction because if you are passionate about art, it is impossible not to try something new! At one point, I tried to limit myself—to create only paintings or only illustrations, to settle on a single style… But now I allow myself to explore and combine different materials and techniques, creating paintings, illustrations, and even photography—which often becomes a canvas for graphic elements and a way to express ideas.

For example, in painting, I have started using napkins and dried plants, experimenting with combinations of watercolor, acrylic, and oil. Sometimes I create clay objects and paint on them. In all these areas, digital graphics serve as a complementary tool—helping to unify styles, add details, and create accents.

And I want to tell all artists: don’t be afraid to try new things! It doesn’t matter if you don’t have one fixed style—art exists for exploration! This is the true spirit of discovery, and it is invaluable. Where else but in creativity can we allow ourselves the freedom of expression, the joy of discovering something new, and the ability to share it with others?

Karina Savina | Gentle strength | 2025

In your work “New World”, you ask: “What if flowers bloomed underwater? What if fish could fly?” How do these “what if” questions relate to your creative process?

These questions are where the journey to a new work begins!

What if I try to convey the feeling of joyful inspiration and the image of a new world? Will others be able to feel and experience it? What if I start creating visual representations of my ideas about the future? What if I create states in which people will create and communicate from their inner worlds, as if their souls were interacting?

Sometimes, these questions may seem chaotic, but they are what allow us to break free from the familiar. Again and again, they dismantle old patterns, open new perspectives, and offer a fresh way to see ourselves, the world, and creativity. Questions serve as a bridge between the image and the viewer, an invitation to interact and explore. And, of course, they are the way to begin.

Art is often described as a form of communication. How do you want your works to “speak” to the audience, and what emotions do you hope to evoke?

My aspiration is to share images from my inner world with those who are ready to receive them. With those who can feel them from within, immerse themselves in the created atmosphere, and find something familiar, something deeply personal.

It is like the feeling of home—when you encounter an artwork, you recognize it, yet you also discover it from a new perspective. This moment of connection is priceless. If, after experiencing the work, a person feels different—if something within them has shifted, sparked interest, or led them to self-exploration—then that is the most valuable outcome. Perhaps this interaction will even inspire action, a new experience!

Words are not always necessary. The process of discovery is endless, and life is present where there is continuous novelty. The living gives birth to the living—when you uncover something within yourself, you inevitably pass it on to others.

I strive to convey states of Harmony and Freedom—two of the most valuable and inspiring feelings. They awaken the desire to create. And when creative interaction is alive, the process becomes infinite!

Karina Savina | Happiness | 2025

Your exhibitions, such as “Living Exhibition” and “Body Language”, explore sensory communication. How do you engage the audience beyond traditional visual art?

For me, it is essential to evoke sensations that can be felt with the body.

For example, through the dynamics and fluidity of forms—the kind that the body instinctively recognizes and wants to experience. Or through color combinations that create an atmosphere one wants to stay in.

We rarely ask ourselves: what do I want to feel? What kind of atmosphere do I want to live in? But this is an important exploration! And the most exciting part begins when we stop waiting for circumstances to shape our experience and start consciously creating it for ourselves.

With my works, I want to say: everything is possible! Imagine, feel! Organic motifs, fluid forms, human movement—all of these are things we intuitively recognize and wish to embody. They bring us back to our natural state, awakening imagination and inspiration.

This is why exhibitions and projects are like air for an artist and their works. Art truly comes to life when it interacts with people and spaces, when it sparks a process of sensory communication—a conversation through bodily sensations and deep, intuitive recognition. And isn’t that the most important thing?