Anastasia Suvorova

Your project “Flowers and Times of Day” explores how light transforms perception. What was the initial inspiration behind this series?

I love flowers and always try to surround myself with their beauty. My apartment has a large window that spans an entire wall. On the windowsill, I arrange flowers in glass vessels so they can enjoy natural light.

One day I noticed how the sunlight played on the roses standing in that window. Each rose was placed in a separate bottle, and I delighted in watching how the light transformed their appearance throughout the day. In another room, I paid attention to tulips in a glass vase. As the sun set, the flowers became less visible and only the vase itself remained noticeable. But in the bright glow of the setting sun, the tulips came to the foreground, while the vase receded into the background.

These observations inspired me to create a series of works exploring the contrasts and changes that occur with flowers under different lighting. I discovered that the same plants and vessels can look completely different depending on the light. Sometimes even the most striking details disappear when the illumination shifts. These transformations amazed me with their beauty and became the source of inspiration for my project “Flowers and Times of Day.”

Anastasia Suvorova | Lilies in the Morning | 2025

You use Korean script (Hangul) as a graphic element in your works. How did this idea come to you, and what role does Hangul play in your visual storytelling?

As part of the artistic component in my projects, I often use naming—the art of creating and applying memorable and meaningful words or phrases to the canvas. Naming not only helps attract attention but also conveys key ideas and concepts through a single word.

As a graphic element, alongside the English language, I often use Hangul, integrating its forms into my visual compositions. For me, Hangul is not just an alphabet but a powerful tool for expressing ideas and emotions in my work. The Korean writing system, consisting of 24 symbols, plays an important role in my artistic projects. I am drawn to this alphabet for its simplicity and orderliness; it is easy to perceive and visually appealing. I use Hangul as a means of expression, a way to create rhythm, or as a design element to reveal my concepts more deeply.

I first encountered Hangul by chance while browsing poster designs on the internet. The unusual and beautiful signs that I couldn’t recognize captivated me. Later I learned that it was the Korean alphabet. To work freely with this language, I studied it for nine months. This experience gave me the ability to express my ideas, read, write, and confidently navigate the language. Although I do not yet speak Korean fluently, my knowledge is sufficient for accurately conveying my artistic intentions.

Hangul was created in the mid-15th century under the initiative of King Sejong the Great of the Joseon dynasty. The scholars of that time sought to create a simple and logical writing system for the entire population. In my opinion, they succeeded in creating a concise and easily comprehensible script distinguished by its logic and elegant design.

Anastasia Suvorova | Lavender at Night | 2025

Having a background in both design and photography, how do these disciplines influence your painting practice today?

Experience in these disciplines allows me to experiment with composition, color, and form, and to convey visual imagery with maximum precision. Design has taught me how to structure space on the canvas, select harmonious combinations of elements, and work with visual hierarchy. Photography has strongly influenced my perception of color and light. Working with photography helps me better understand how light and shadow can model the shape of objects, as well as how different color schemes can create a specific mood. Playing with perspective and focus also inspires me to seek new angles and approaches in painting. By using all available digital tools, I can experiment with various techniques and styles, applying programs for creating and transforming images. This allows me to express my ideas more freely and to find original solutions for each work.

Anastasia Suvorova | Project Flowers and Times of Day | 2025

The project connects light and time of day with emotions and spiritual states. Which part of the day resonates with you the most, and why?

I like the time from sunset until three o’clock in the morning. It is the most expressive time of day for me: from the vivid colors of sunset to the slow fading of daylight. I especially love watching how darkness descends and everything around falls silent, sinking into a ringing stillness.

Your works combine elements of pop art, photography, and contemporary art. How do you balance these influences when creating a composition?

The foundation of my work is built on several key principles. First, I carefully develop the core concept of each piece—its idea, meaning, and purpose. Next, I focus on the color palette of the composition, which may involve contrasting bright, saturated hues with more subdued tones, or using unexpected forms. I also draw on photographic framing techniques, combining them with design composition theory to create harmonious and balanced visual structures. Finally, I consider how individual elements will influence the viewer.

Anastasia Suvorova | Roses at Noon | 2025

Do you consider your works to be more decorative and design-oriented, or do you see them primarily as carriers of deep philosophical meaning?

I have a degree in design, so it’s important to me that my works are not only beautiful and functional but also meaningful. My paintings can serve as interior decoration. However, I don’t classify my works either as pure design or as paintings with an overt philosophical subtext. I love creating vivid visuals with a clear purpose—emotion. And I like to stay at the crossroads, without forcing my art into any particular format or concept, whether it’s pure design or contemporary art. Nothing in my works is accidental—that’s my philosophy. The beauty of the world lies in impulses, in responses to something striking, and it is within this plane of ideas that my art exists.