Soviet myths and Western promises
I was born in 1988 in Leningrad, 3 years before “the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century”, as the Russian president Vladimir Putin described it, took place – the breakup of the USSR. Many people in Russia had great hopes and dreams but the reality in freedom and democracy was much harder than expected. People had no idea how to adapt that quickly to capitalism – and the few who adapted the best became the new ruler of Russia, the Oligarchs. So while the most part of the population became poor and lost in this new system (including my family), a very small group became nearly as rich and mighty as the former Czars. Experiencing the horrors of the 90ies in Russia, people stared to remember the soviet days in a nostalgic way, missing the safety and feeling of being the second World Power.
With this series, I am trying to process the different experiences I collected during these days, as well as the story I heard about “the good old days”.
Wasted Leningrad Youth
160 x 80 cm
Varnish on Wood
The unknown Soldier in a dead cat’s grave
65 x 65 cm
Acryl and Varnish on Plastic
The Opium of the People
85 x 67 cm
Varnish on Plastic
Ivan Mouse
140 x 100 cm
Acryl and Varnish on Plastic
Brotherly Love
85 x 60 cm
Mixed Media
A Russian Soul
180 x 85 cm
Mixed Media
Disney Prison
25 x 15 x 15 cm
Acryl on Steel
Old Town
105 x 70 cm, 92 x 55 cm
Mixed Media
Proletarians of all countries, consume
118 x 87 cm
Acryl and Varnish on Paper
Sankt Petrow
40 x 34 cm
Varnish on Paper
Third Rome
95 x 55 cm
Varnish on Wood
Western Promises
50 x 90 cm
Mixed Media
The Wild 90ies
97 x 50 cm
Varnish on Wood
Wild Beast
47 x 85 cm
Acryl and Varnish on paper
The Big Fish
21 x 36 cm
Mixed Media
Soft Hard
53 x 85 cm
Varnish on Paper
Potjomkin
30 x 30 cm
Mixed Media
Old Gods New Gods
40 x 66 cm
Mixed Media
Captain Russia
55 x 78 cm
Mixed Media
Hameln
48 x 70 cm
Acryl and Varnish on Paper
Lost and Found
40 x 77 cm
Acryl and Varnish on Paper
Milk and Honey
50 x 30 cm
Mixed Media