I am Polina Gazeeva, a painter and video artist originally from Russia, now living and working in Berlin. My art delves into the exploration of personal themes, often using body imagery to express intimate narratives. For years, I lived and exhibited in Hannover, a city whose conservative leanings eventually led me to seek a broader canvas for my work. My journey in art has been long-standing; a significant push came during my high school years under the mentorship of an inspiring teacher. I have been painting consistently, recently gravitating towards oils among various mediums. My experience extends beyond creation, having worked in an art gallery for over two years, and actively participating in exhibitions and art fairs, which have been integral to my growth and exposure in the art community.

 One fundamental function of art used to be religious, uplifting the mind to the spiritual. Icon paintings in places of worship were a way of connecting the divine and the material world, conveying the powerful presence of the unseen. Nowadays, art generally does not have the same strictly religious purpose. However, it still occupies a similar place in our hearts.

 In my work, the physical form is not just the subject but a mirror reflecting our deepest subconscious realms. The body, in my paintings, is both a tangible reality and a metaphor for the unseen forces that shape our existence. Image making has always been a very ritualistic practice, a powerful process that is often far beyond our conscious comprehension. Therefore, I believe my art to be a reminder of that presence, of something larger than ourselves and our inherent connection to it.