Aleksandra Kabakova’s delicate works capture a fragment of the beauty and fragility of nature, showing hidden emotions in all things around us. Here is our exclusive interview with Aleksandra.
L: Introduce yourself
AK: Hello, I am Aleksandra Kabakova, an artist from St. Petersburg, Russia. Since 2008 I have worked as a graphic designer and I also work on my own art projects.
L: Tell us about the turning moment in your life, when you decided to be an artist?
AK: I have wanted to be an artist since I was a child. I studied at a children’s Art School from the age of 7 and completed an 8 year full art education. However, I have completed my Master’s Degree in Information Management. I didn’t draw a lot during my education in the university, but then I realised that I missed it so much and started drawing again.
L: Your inspiration?
AK: Frankly, I can be easily inspired by absolutely ordinary things around me. I believe that not only people have emotions, but also all the things around us. Slow movement of clouds, shades of trees, soaring of birds, the falling of a raindrop, old boats, houses, street lights, electric mains, branches of trees, snag trees and blades of grass create their own special mood of the moment. We can feel their loneliness, sadness, expectation and hope and this is the fleeting mood of a moment that I want to capture.
L: You often draw flowers and trees. What for you like them? Is there some mysterious connection between you and green plants?
AK: I am very passionate about drawing flowers and trees. Trees for me are similar to people, they are as unique, mysterious and beautiful, as people are with their individual characters and special features.
I love the wonderful words about trees from a poem by Russian poet Nikolay Gumilev “I know: to the trees, but not to us, Perfection of the life is given”.
L: What profession is very romantic in your opinion?
AK: Interesting question, I think all the professions connected with art, creativity and travelling could be very romantic. And of course a sea captain!
L: What is the measure of successes for you?
AK: Success for me is when you feel satisfaction from your work and enjoy the creative process making every line of a drawing. When people viewing your art work feel special emotions and find their own stories behind them, this pleases me greatly.
L: And our special question:)Imagine that you are sweets, what kind it would be and why?
AK: I’d like to be chocolate sweets in a very beautiful tin can with intricate ornaments, I do love chocolate sweets and beautiful cans!
Thank you Aleksandra!
