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“My brain needs to create a description and explanation to every image that I see and how they “connect” to each other.”
The Genesis of Natalia Jezova’s Artistic Journey
In the Jezova household, the air was thick with the essence of art, music, and literature. This familial cocoon, buzzing with the intellectual fervor of esteemed academics, artists, and musicians, deeply informed the artist’s formative consciousness. One could hardly separate young Natalia from this vibrant tapestry, as she and other children would often immerse themselves in impromptu performances, further amplifying the house’s creative cadence.
The seeds sown in these early years soon germinated as Jezova embarked on a structured education in the arts. At a tender age of six, she embraced dual disciplines: music and visual arts. For a decade, she delved into classical art methodologies, soaking in the intricacies of sculpture, painting, drawing, and more. These foundational lessons would later bolster her artistic pursuits. Concurrently, at her music school, the budding artist’s imagination found solace in composition and improvisation. Crafting auditory portraits, Natalia skillfully sculpted soundtracks for a myriad of characters – an early nod to her later fusion of sound and visuals in films.
Natalia Jezova, Shaping Visions: From Photography to Avant-Garde Filmmaking
Natalia’s intrigue with the visual medium can be traced back to her father, an adept in technical sciences and a revered author in electronics. But beyond his professional achievements, he was a passionate photographer. The magic of his experimentation with diverse lighting techniques captivated the young Jezova. Guided by her father’s wisdom, by twelve, she had already embraced the camera, an experience that would later cement her trajectory as a visual artist.
Jezova’s clarity about her vocation was unwavering. She envisioned herself as an artist, musician, or writer, understanding that a life devoid of art or music would be a hollow existence. This resolute passion led her to pursue a BA in Fine Art, where her canvases predominantly resonated with the surrealistic motifs of Salvador Dali and mirrored her emotional odysseys. Her subsequent MA in Fine Art signaled a transition; under the tutelage of Professor John Smith, an avant-garde filmmaking pioneer, she ventured into the dynamic domains of filmmaking and photography. The allure of the 16mm camera beckoned, and she plunged headfirst into cinematic linguistics. Culminating her academic journey, in 2021, the University of East London conferred upon her a Professional Doctorate in Fine Arts, a testament to her enduring commitment and expansive artistic vision.
The Evolving Canvas of Natalia Jezova
Natalia Jezova’s artistic identity thrives on fluidity and transcends conventional categorization. Spanning across a plethora of mediums – from film and photography to painting and installation – her oeuvre is a testament to her versatility. Central to Jezova’s creations is a language that’s rich in metaphors and symbolism. Delving into profound themes like cultural memory, identity, and the evanescence of existence, she crafts narratives that stand apart from transient trends and echo her life philosophy and aesthetic sensibilities.
A significant turning point in the artist’s life was the deterioration of her vision, transforming her perception into a tapestry of blurred silhouettes punctuated by double vision. Rather than viewing this as an impediment, Jezova channelled this experience into her work, notably employing the technique of superimposition. These multi-layered visuals serve as a confluence of imagination, tangible reality, and memories. For Natalia, her workspace is a sanctuary. Regardless of the medium she’s navigating, her environment’s harmony is crucial. With a well-defined process in place, she readies herself mentally and physically, often setting the mood with an eclectic musical backdrop.
Masters of the Past Meet Contemporary Exploration
From the timeless finesse of the Old Masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Vermeer to the surreal strokes of Salvador Dali and innovative approaches of Yasumasa Morimura, Jezova’s inspirations are both vast and varied. The Old Masters, in particular, have etched a profound influence on her, their works serving as intricate tapestries teeming with symbolism. They are akin to encoded tomes, whispering age-old secrets.
One artwork that holds profound significance for the artist is Leonardo da Vinci’s “Lady with an Ermine” (1489 – 1490). Her exploration into this masterpiece birthed her evocative photographic series, “Secrets Breed Secrets,” a profound commentary on gender dynamics and societal power structures. In terms of mediums, Jezova exhibits a marked preference for oil paints, cherishing their adaptability. Within the realm of filmmaking, she is passionate about chroma-keying visual effects. Currently, her artistic compass points towards the completion of the “Secrets Breed Secrets” project, a multidimensional endeavor that melds staged photography, film, and literary narratives, delving deep into the mystique shrouding iconic Renaissance artworks.
