Interview with Katerina Belkina
The man assumes aesthetic judgment of the woman, but the woman is bound to a lifetime of self-examination. In the man's world, women struggle with constraints, torn between the desire for freedom and the societal expectations placed upon them. In the works of great masters, "women and landscapes" have recorded a society where the individual must reconcile with the norms of gender and beauty. Katerina Belkina's photographic works, influenced by cultural traditions, create a modern, yet timeless narrative by blending contemporary landscapes with religious and art historical themes. The female protagonist in her images is coldly fashionable, solitary and sensual, struggling to break free from the traditional roles prescribed by society, yet unable to escape the original sin of being a woman. She faces the viewer, both part of the painting and separate from it, blurring the lines between image and reality, much like the cityscapes of modern times where the observer's gaze intersects with the subject.
Through her exceptional technique, Katerina creates a distinctive aesthetic, combining symbolism, self-reflection, and contemporary visual culture. Her works often depict the reimagining and reconstruction of the modern woman, with many pieces featuring Katerina herself as the subject, modeling in front of her own lens. Her imagery often invites the viewer to reflect on the duality of self-image and societal roles.
Katerina graduated from Samara Art School, Petrov-Vodkin Art Institute (Design Department), and Michael Musorin’s Academy of Photography. She is regarded as one of Russia's leading contemporary portrait artists. She received the first prize at the 2015 Cranach Art Award, and in 2014 won first place in the international art competition in Beijing. She also earned top awards in other prestigious competitions, including the 2008 International Internet Art Competition and the 2007 Art Award for the Year's Best Work.
Q: Many contemporary photographers emphasize unaltered realism. Why do you choose to incorporate digital manipulation in your work?
Katerina Belkina: The question of whether realism should be pure is a matter of personal belief. Art is not just about replicating reality—it is about engaging with ideas and emotions. After studying design and photography, I realized that I work very slowly, blending photography, painting, and digital drawing into my work. I discovered that digital drawing allows me to more fully express my concepts and ideas. Sometimes, the constructed elements of an image can be more expressive than the realistic details. I believe that if artists like Picasso or Van Gogh had access to digital tools, they would have used them.
Q: How do you approach your creative process?
Katerina Belkina: My process usually begins with a concept or a theme. I explore various ways to express it visually, creating many sketches to refine the idea. It's a lengthy period of trial and error, eliminating ideas that don’t fit. Once the concept is clear, I move on to detailed planning, considering everything from color, lighting, to composition. I am very meticulous in constructing my images, whether it’s the color palette or the arrangement of elements. For example, in one of my works, I designed a scene with an underwater shoot, where my long hair flows, my eyes are wide open, and my hand holds a piece of paper. It is a surreal, dreamlike moment, exploring the theme of whether women are always trying to please men's aesthetic standards, even in the name of love.
