Interview
Yana Dmitrieva
Yana Dmitrieva is a contemporary artist exploring emotions, fears, and the human struggle for self-identity and self-expression. Born in Barnaul, Russia, in 1981, she now lives and works in Herceg Novi, Montenegro. A graduate of the New Altai State School of Art and the Altai State Institute of Culture, she began her career in furniture design, later transitioning to freelance work in interior and object design. Over the years, she built a team of skilled professionals, completing ambitious projects for global clients, including custom furniture and curated artworks for interior spaces. In 2022, Yana relocated to Europe, marking the beginning of a transformative chapter. A period of personal and global upheaval became the catalyst for her artistic evolution. Creativity has been her therapy and lifeline, while the interplay between external circumstances and inner conflicts has emerged as a central theme in her art. Yana’s practice spans a variety of mediums, with a preference for oil on canvas due to its depth, longevity, and the creative satisfaction it sparks in her. She also works with colored pencils and graphite, techniques that encourage introspection and are well-suited for exploring complex ideas. Currently, Yana is developing a new series that investigates the intricate relationship between the self and its inner contradictions. Actively involved in the contemporary art scene, she plans to debut a solo exhibition soon, showcasing her deeply personal and thought-provoking work.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“Despite my success, I had one more dream: to live by the sea. In 2022, external events sped up my plans, and my family moved to Herceg Novi. There, I faced a personal crisis, compounded by global upheaval. Creativity became my therapy, helping me reflect and rebuild. My art began exploring the tension between external change and my inner world. That’s when I fully embraced my path as an artist - completing a residency, exhibiting at my first fairs in Montenegro, and finding my artistic voice.”
What inspires you?
“People. I love observing them - their similarities, differences, patterns. I think about what they feel, what they struggle with, how they face their fears. It fascinates me! I’m also inspired by movement and diversity. I’ve traveled a lot and moved between cities and countries more than ten times. Exploring new places, immersing myself in different cultures, and meeting people with unique perspectives constantly fuels my creativity.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I strongly believe every person is shaped by emotions, fears, struggles, and the opinions of others. These influences shape our actions and reactions. In my art, I explore how people reflect the world around them - especially in times of upheaval. I focus on the conflict between external circumstances and our authentic desires, our soul. I dive into themes of identity and self-expression, using metaphorical imagery to make the invisible struggle visible. Through my work, I want people to see that by recognizing our weaknesses and uniqueness, we can experience life differently.”
How would you describe your work?
“I wouldn’t call it work. Creating new paintings feels like a natural extension of myself. It’s an ongoing, unconscious process in my mind. No matter what I’m doing - traveling, sitting in a meeting, shopping, reading = my eyes are always working. I constantly analyze light, shadows, colors, and people’s behavior. I frame moments in my mind, layer them onto imagined paintings, add elements, and build narratives that later take shape on canvas. I don’t sit at a desk from 9 to 5 trying to come up with something new. Each painting is the result of ongoing observation and research. When the final image emerges, it comes together quickly, shaped by everything I’ve absorbed along the way.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I’m most influenced by performance artists who use their bodies as their canvas. They express themselves through actions, costumes, makeup, music, and movement, creating powerful emotional experiences. Their boldness and fearlessness inspire me. They push human limits and step into situations beyond comprehension, which I find incredibly brave. Two artists who stand out for me are Marina Abramović and Gena Marvin.”
“In my art, I explore how people reflect the world around them - especially in times of upheaval. I focus on the conflict between external circumstances and our authentic desires, our soul.”
What is your creative process like?
“It’s always different. Some days, I can work for 10–12 hours straight on one piece. Other days, I only have a few minutes. Since I have two kids in elementary school, I often have to fit work around my role as a mom. But even when I’m not physically painting, my mind is constantly searching. I jot down ideas in a sketchbook or on my phone whenever something strikes me. I’ve never thought about whether I have a structured process - it just lives alongside me, evolving as I do.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Artists have a huge impact on society - sometimes subtle, but always powerful. I believe every form of expression - literature, painting, performance, music, dance - helps shape the world. Art doesn’t directly control events, but it influences them. It sparks thought, curiosity, inspiration, and action. Everything we create is connected. We’re inspired by what came before, and in turn, others build upon our work. This cycle keeps going, generating new ideas and perspectives. Art is one of the most powerful ways to share emotions, experiences, and virtues with society. That’s what makes it so important.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“One of the most memorable exhibitions I’ve experienced wasn’t mine - it was Jovan Kratohvil’s retrospective, Composition 100/24, in Belgrade this past January. It was unforgettable, not just for the art but for the events surrounding it. I had come to Belgrade to explore the city’s art scene and look for new opportunities. I didn’t know anything about this exhibition or the artist. By chance, I ended up in a small gallery where I met Marko Kratohvil, an American sculptor visiting from Los Angeles. We started talking, and he invited me to the National Museum of Belgrade, where his family had organized an exhibition honoring his father, Jovan Kratohvil, a renowned Yugoslav sculptor. The exhibition featured Jovan’s sculptures, graphics, and paintings, arranged chronologically to showcase his creative journey. Marko personally guided me through it, sharing stories about his father - how he worked, how Marko grew up in that environment, and how it shaped him. It was an incredible experience - one I wouldn’t have had if I had just visited the exhibition on my own. The personal details, the stories, the connection - it made the art come alive in a way I’ll never forget.”
