Svetlana Fenster

To begin, what initially drew you to pastel as your main medium, especially given your background in IT?

I love the question. I believe that creativity is a key quality developed by IT consulting specialists, so it is not a surprise that I transferred my ability to other spheres of my life.

Pastel wasn’t my first medium, but when I first tried working with pastels, I instantly realized it was the perfect medium for me. It allows me to convey my message most authentically. I’m still continually discovering new possibilities within this medium, exploring its capabilities, and sharing my findings with viewers.

Your works reflect a quiet and meditative atmosphere. How do you translate emotions like silence or resilience into color and form?

It’s not a quick journey. Color is the most important part of this transformation. I typically spend a considerable amount of time applying color in layers, looking for a mix that reflects the quiet melody of the atmosphere. For the past two years, I have been working right on the coast, fully immersing myself in the purity of the marine environment.  I strive for conciseness in my work to not lose that purity.

There is a rhythm added to the color. It is important to me when my pieces do not speak loudly but breathe – calmly, deeply, and sincerely. When rhythm, lines, and color carry an inner power. This power is soft; it is rooted in timeless values. It fosters a sense of inner stability, helping us maintain our balance in a constantly changing world.

Svetlana Fenster | The light | 2025

In your statement, you describe the sea as a “silent rebellion.” Could you expand on that idea—what is it rebelling against?

We live in a world filled with constant noise—whether informational, physical, or virtual. When you find yourself on the shore in front of the vastness of the sea, you begin to realize that there is something more permanent and significant than your fleeting problems. The sea cleanses your mind, reconnects you with yourself, and allows you to view everything from a different perspective.

In this way, it represents a ‘silent rebellion’ against vanity, imposed rhythms, and constant control. The sea does not make noise with slogans or demand attention; it simply exists. In its freedom, in its eternal fluidity, it rejects everything artificial, contrived, and temporary. The sea reminds us that it is possible to live differently – without fuss, without fighting for likes, without the need to prove something all the time. It is a witness of another  way of life: deep, calm, honest.

You mention transforming chaos into clarity. How does that process unfold during your artistic creation?

This transformation is primarily expressed through compositional techniques. I eliminate everything unnecessary in search of balance among forms, lines, and space. I try to make my works harmonious and the composition as plastic as possible. It is important to me that the viewer not only sees the visual image, but also feels an inner silence, that my works are a breath of fresh air, a movement from the inner noise to a state of clarity and peace.

Svetlana Fenster | The wanderers | 2024

What role does eco-activism play in your creative practice? Do you see your art as a form of ecological statement?

Absolutely.  For me, art is a quiet but powerful form of ecological reflection. Living on the island allows me to explore existence within natural limitations. This context deeply shapes my practice.  I invite the viewer into a space of heightened awareness, cultivating sensitivity to space, silence, and the fragile balance of nature. I appeal to the viewer to preserve all elements that shape our reality, forming a unique perception of the relationship between human and environment. By revealing beauty in simplicity, balance and rhythm, I aim to awaken attention — because true care for nature begins with noticing.

Svetlana Fenster | Melting away | 2025

Your paintings evoke a sense of time being suspended. Is this intentional, and how do you use composition to achieve that?

Yes, it’s very intentional. Thank you for noticing it. My goal is to offer a space where time feels suspended — not stopped, but deepened — inviting the viewer to simply be, without urgency, in quiet observation. For me, a pause can be more expressive than sound itself. Through my art, I aim to convey a state in which the essence becomes suddenly audible. I strive to be a conduit for the silence from which the main idea begins to resonate.