This new image, titled Bee Keeper, is inspired by the early 20th century scientific illustrations by R. E. Snodgrass. Continuing with the floral theme of my previous two pieces, the shape depicted constitutes of reproductive organs, sting, and poison glands of a honey bee queen.
Bee Keeper, Curiophyla, 2012
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This piece, titled Pearls, for my ongoing project Curiophyla is dedicated to my mother and my aunt (left and right respectively). Being identical twins they’ve spent their whole lives together until my family moved to the US thirteen years ago and my mother was forced to leave her sister behind back in Russia. With this flower, once again inspired by vintage botanical charts, I wanted to remember their beauty, youth, and many devoted years together.
Pearls, Curiophyla, 2012
Pearls, Curiophyla, 2012
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This new piece is based on an ancient medicinal practice, called bloodletting, which involved withdrawal of small quantities of blood from a patient to cure various ailments. It is rooted in an idea that all fluids in our bodies exist in equilibrium, which must be restored once a person gets sick. I also came across ‘spiritual’ bloodletting, which, I imagined, involved draining extra blood from the heart to restore serenity of the soul. Furthermore, this work is inspired by Frida Kahlo’s painting Las Dos Fridas.
Bloodletting (self-portrait) Curiophyla, 2012
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This new piece for my project Curiophyla is a birthday gift to my wonderful sister Gale, who is expecting my first niece. Morula, the title of the image, is the earliest stage of embryo development. It is a cluster of cells that rapidly divides until it resembles a mulberry, hence the name. This piece is also influenced by vintage botanical educational charts.
Morula, Curiophyla 2012
Morula, Curiophyla 2012
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faux tintype portraits of Gale and Vlad
To celebrate my grandmother’s 80th birthday, I’ve made the following piece, titled Family Tree, as part of my ongoing project Curiophyla. It is a tribute to my grandmother’s radiant and benevolent character. The elephant is my late grandfather, who kneels down to pay his respect. My grandparents actually owned a porcelain elephant statuette back in Russia when I was growing up. Other immediate family members are pictured on the right side, including myself in the top row, middle.
Family Tree, Curiophyla, 2012
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