Art and professionalism

A single opportunity can have a profound impact on an artist’s path. The Thomas-Ferdinand Gallery isn’t just a platform for Zoya; it’s a mirror reflecting her growth, her struggles, and her aspirations, propelling her towards her dreams with renewed vigour. It was never just about creating for her.

With a blend of excitement, gratitude, and a hint of vulnerability, she starts by outlining her present aspirations, “What I want from this moment, is just to be able to move closer towards being [known as] an artist.” She continues, “So being represented by the gallery to me is a big thing, and a small step to what I want, while grounding myself, and reminding myself, that this is who I am, this is my [artist] profile [on the gallery website], and my works for sale. And it’s so real!”

For Zoya, this association isn’t just about external recognition, it’s deeply personal and introspective. “To me the whole part of writing about myself was really challenging and self-discovering, it helped put the puzzle together.” Drafting her profile seemed to be a deep dive into her past, her journey, and everything that culminated into the artist she is today. “In my head, it will jump from gear to gear, or from sentence to a sentence, etc, etc. It was a bit painful, not like it was sad or anything, it was a pain like ‘oh my god, this is me, this is the journey I’ve been through, and this is where I am now.’ So it means a lot.”

Philosophy and values

The complexity of Zoya’s journey highlights the inherent fears and aspirations that drive her creations. There exists a delicate dance between the intimate act of creation and the public act of recognition. A poignant reminder that behind every piece of art, lies a myriad of emotions, choices, and vulnerabilities.

Upon being asked about navigating between personal expression and the desire for public recognition, Zoya begin with an insightful acknowledgment, “It always feels like a race.” She elaborates, “First, I always tell myself, ‘ok, you just do it for yourself, this is where you feel the best, so just feel the best until the end, and don’t think about if anyone going to like it.” But then the allure of appreciation comes in, distorting the initial intention. “Then you produce a certain piece of work, and then your friends or family say ‘oh, this is amazing, you should sell it!’ Then I’m like ‘oh my god, am I missing an opportunity here?’”

She pointed out the crucial turn in the journey, “It all goes wrong ‘cause your focus shifts, you’re not doing it purely for yourself anymore. You’re doing it for your future audience, work, or future admirers, because of this desire of being wanted to be appreciated… I think it’s the drug, the addiction of praise.”

Resonating across time, beyond the confines of mediums and technological advancements, there is a call to honour the deep-rooted human touch in every artistic creation within Zoya – to cherish the timeless legacy artists leave behind. We are venturing into an era that is blending boundaries of the essence of art, and machine.

With a twinkle of hope and defiance in her eyes, she says, “I think about the perception of time and reality around us, and how they show in futuristic movies that everything’s going to be robotic. But, I want the art always to be something that can be done in any time and space, with any tools, and any idea.”

She touches upon the advent of Artificial Intelligence, which many believe holds the promise and peril of the future. With both excitement and caution, she adds, “good or evil, I think that nothing can replicate, or imitate the true art that comes from the actual artist.”

The essence of art lies beyond tools and techniques to Zoya. It’s an embodiment in visible form of an idea, quality or feeling of the artist’s soul. “It’s initially about the personal experience, the personal perception, and translating to beauty. No matter the media. No matter the time and space” she shares passionately.

In the ever-evolving world of contemporary art, a mosaic of diverse perspectives, mediums, and approaches, Zoya’s reflects on the interplay between art and its modern environment. While the world offers both challenges and enrichment, the heart of artistic expression remains a evocative journey, with the ability to connect creators with their audiences in a meaningful way.

“Contemporary art,”, her eyes fill with a mix of passion and reflection, “is less of a vision I have, but more of a digging deeper, looking for the meaning of the work.” Her voice emanates a longing for simplicity, a direct connection between the viewer and the artwork. “I do prefer an instant connection with the art piece through visual perception. I don’t like to think too deep about art; it just needs to tell the story by itself.”

For Zoya, art serves as a mirror to the artist’s soul. “Because art is an extension of an artist. That’s why I just don’t like to overcomplicate stuff; they’re already complex enough,” she muses, while explaining that each of her pieces derive from her own lived experiences. “Hidden meanings, or really transforming artistry into something that needs a lot of thinking, researching, and reading— it’s a bit less nourishing to me than something you just see or experience. The story happens when you experience things on your own.”

However, amidst these reflections, she also expresses an understanding of the vastness and inclusivity of the art world. “Every art has a place to be,” she noted. And drawing from the wisdom of others, she recollects, “I read a quote recently online, it was from one of the teachers from my time at The University of Hertfordshire. He said that ‘every artist will find its admirer, or find its following’. It’s kind of like an anchor point for me, especially during those moments when you have doubts.”