Bio

The story of this artist begins in Moscow, where, as a child, Sasha was surrounded by creative and cultural influences. Riding in her stroller past the New Tretyakov Gallery, she absorbed the spirit of art and the history of Russia. Her childhood in Ukraine instilled in her a love for nature and the poetry of Taras Shevchenko, which left a deep impression on her. Her father, a chief designer at a shoe enterprise, introduced her to art through fashion and design, while time spent in libraries fueled her imagination and artistic vision.

The Perestroika era and a move to Kirov marked a difficult time. Living in a barrack without hot water and constantly struggling with poverty couldn’t break her determination. At the age of 10 Sasha enrolled in an art school, where she honed her skills under the guidance of a talented teacher V. Okhapkin. However, the reality of the financial hardships faced by artists in that period pushed her to switch her focus to studying foreign languages.

Feeling out of place in Kirov, she left for Moscow, where a new chapter of her life began. Despite the hardships, she pushed forward, working and building her career. She opened her first business, had children, and even pursued piano lessons while doing her Masters in economics. Yet, deep down, she continued to feel a strong pull towards art. In 2012, she began preparing to enter the Surikov State Institute of Fine Arts.

Her time at uni was filled with challenges related to family, business, and economic struggles. Although she had to interrupt her studies, she didn’t give up on art. In 2017, she started experimenting with different forms and styles but continued searching for her artistic identity. It wasn’t until 2018 that her “Australian period” began.

A life-changing encounter introduced her to Australian culture, sparking a new chapter in her life. Inspired by this connection, she decided to emigrate. After overcoming numerous obstacles, she arrived in Melbourne, a city that welcomed her into a world where she finally felt she belonged.

In 2022, she enrolled in the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology’s Fine Arts program, where she continued to explore her style, drawing inspiration from Australia’s unique nature and culture. Lectures from a philosophy professor at Moscow State University, Armen Apresyan, helped her realize that her art could bridge the gap between her native and new cultures. Today, she celebrates the uniqueness of Australia through her artwork, finding harmony in blending traditional motifs with contemporary Australian themes.