Fragments, Natalia Zhukova

Natalya Zhukova is a professional artist, educator, and author of books on art. The principal techniques she uses to create her works are encaustic and mixed media. Natalya is one of Russia’s leading experts and innovators in this field.

The technique of encaustic painting originated in Ancient Egypt, with wax serving as the primary binder for pigments. This technique was successfully employed by the masters of ancient Pompeii, while in Russian history encaustic is associated with the tradition of icon painting. By the mid-twentieth century, the technique had been further refined and is now actively gaining recognition and popularity among contemporary artists.

Natalya Zhukova’s exhibition “Fragments” invites viewers to discover one of the oldest artistic techniques and reveals the relevance of encaustic in contemporary painting.

“I believe it is very important to be conscious of oneself in the here and now. It is the most immediate, fleeting moment, yet at the same time an entire world shaped by the history of the past and expectations of the future. I conceal the past within the layers and textures of my works. Through collage, I give visual form to dreams and conceal meanings and messages. I search for the nuances of fleeting emotions in combinations and blends of colour. I transform real images and impressions into semi-abstract compositions to awaken emotions and allow viewers to experience this moment in their own way,” — Natalya Zhukova.

“Natalya’s abstract works, created using her distinctive encaustic and mixed-media technique, intertwine historical fragments with the present to reimagine a fragment of the future,” — Sasha Rishar.