Young Russian Artists: The Rite of Spring

This painting is dedicated to a young woman who is sacrificed as part of a dance ritual. From childhood she knew she was going to die like this, alone, while others were dancing and celebrating the advent of spring. The expectation of this moment is the meaning of her life. It makes her depressed, sad, and melancholy. It will bring peace to the world but nothing for her.

“I started drawing because it was an escape for me, a way to relax and focus on the things I love, it’s like meditation. Most of the time the images come to me on their own accord and are determined by the medium I choose for my drawings. Many of the creatures I draw are the shadows of animals and people, they are ethnic and eclectic. I like making things come to life, like when a painting transforms into something larger and grander – this is where my work with wood, ceramics, and metal comes into play. My dream is to go into set design, to work with images, sound, and light at the same time.” - Varvara Cheltsova, 2021.

Accolades
Education: Graphic Design, Moscow State University, 2015-18. Book in Space, Salzburg, 2018. Art, Gerrit Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam.
Exhibitions: The 12th international Poster Triennial, Toyama, 2018. Library, At Triupf Gallery, Moscow, 2019. blazar, Young art Fair, Moscow, 2020. Animal Kingdom, Personal Exhibition, Lado, Moscow, 2020.

@varya.cheltsova