Natasha Dikareva
Emergence: In Solitude & Passage
Artist statement

My influences range from ancient Greek mythology to Eastern philosophies of spiritual transformation. I am interested in depicting the human experience using charged symbolism rooted in these mythological and philosophical sources. This symbolic language invites viewers to immerse themselves into a myriad of metaphorical possibilities.. My creative process often involves exploring subconscious imagery and dream-like states, which generate new visual narratives.

As I immerse myself in the stories and struggles that unfold from everyday news from my motherland Ukraine, I feel a resolute determination to create sculptures that serve as symbols of resilience, unity, and enduring spirit. Each piece embodies the collective longing for a peaceful scene, where the clouds of uncertainty part, revealing a serene and boundless blue sky. This reality has given new urgency to my exploration of mythical creatures – they now carry a people’s dreams of renewal and transformation.
Born in moments of solitude, these beings exist in perpetual passage, neither fully of this world nor the next, embodying the liminal state of change that defines our current moment. Clouds flow through my forms as symbols of this passage, ephemeral shapes that suggest the temporary nature of darkness and the promise of clearing skies. Sculpted hands emerge as recurring motifs, serving as visual representations of healing from the wounds of war, both physical and emotional. In solitude, these hands reach across the void, seeking connection and offering comfort. Birds manifest throughout my ceramic landscapes, reinforcing the idea that even in the most isolated circumstances, there remains the possibility of renewal and the arrival of good news. The all-seeing eyes incorporated into hands and birds watch over us, representing wisdom gained through solitary contemplation and the protection found in watchful presence. I deliberately use holes and negative spaces, which function as drawing with absence rather than presence. These openings become passages themselves – allowing light to enter and move through the ceramic forms, creating an interplay between solid and void that mirrors the duality of existence itself. The light that filters through becomes part of the sculpture’s meaning, suggesting illumination penetrating darkness, and breath entering lifeless forms through moments of solitary revelation. I employ stains and crawling glazes, creating ash-like textures that speak to cycles of destruction and revival – the emergence that follows devastation. Blue faces appear throughout my work – serene countenances born from reflection that speak to the longed-for Ukrainian sky and the peaceful future we envision achieving through this difficult passage.

This body of work has become a tribute to the incredible resilience of my fellow Ukrainians and a celebration of the transformative power found in solitude and passage. Through my art, I aim to not only shed light on the ongoing war in Ukraine but also to highlight the resilience and beauty that emerge within the turmoil. The fantastical creatures I birth from clay become vessels for real human longing – each form a prayer made manifest in contemplation, each piece a defiant act of creation emerging from destruction. I believe that one day, our collective vision for a peaceful future will be realized through this passage, and we will bask under the embrace of a radiant blue sky. Until then, my ceramic guardians stand watch in eternal solitude, holding space for healing and bearing witness to the emergence of an unbreakable spirit that refuses to surrender its dreams.

Pearl Of Wisdom

How To Find Solitude

Skywatcher

Letting Out