By Maria Bregman, writer, art critic, curator, and cultural producer. She has authored critical articles for publications such as Life Magazine London, BLUR Art Magazine, and London Post, and curated art exhibitions, including Zurab Tsereteli’s solo exhibitions. As a presenter for CultFM and creator of a cultural project for Cultura TV, she has broadened public engagement with the arts. Her achievements include organising international art and music festivals in the UK, Tunisia, Israel, and Russia, serving on the jury for the Vasily Kandinsky Art Prize, and the Russian Academy of Arts.
Natrix Vibakari’s art is a compelling exploration of the unseen and often overwhelming emotional forces that shape human existence. In her mixed-media series Inner Demons, Vibakari collaborates with Polish photographer Olesya Sidorova to bridge the tangible world of photography with the ethereal essence of acrylic painting. Through this series, Vibakari reveals the myriad of emotions and internal conflicts that dwell within us – grief, nostalgia, unrequited love, guilt, and the alienation we all inevitably face.
Mixed Media as a Window to the Soul
In Inner Demons, Vibakari’s decision to blend acrylic paint with photographic images isn’t simply a stylistic choice; it is a statement on the duality of existence. The photographs serve as the unchanging foundation of reality, while her painted additions act as a representation of invisible feelings that bubble beneath the surface. Each work takes the viewer beyond the physical into a realm where vulnerability and resilience coexist. The surreal visuals invite introspection, prompting audiences to consider their own internal struggles and relationships with their “other selves.”
One standout piece, Valley of Irises, uses dreamlike motifs to illustrate pain transforming into love and serenity. The blooms breaking through the darkened landscape suggest that even the most profound anguish holds the potential for growth and peace.
Similarly, Other Way is a bold statement on resilience, portraying life’s collapse as an invitation to seek new paths. Its acrylic strokes blend destruction with opportunity, challenging viewers to find hope amid despair.
Art that Speaks to Memory and Identity
Central to Vibakari’s work is her exploration of memory and the impact of relationships. In Remember Me, the permanence of love is captured through spectral imagery that suggests those we cherish remain ever-present in our hearts.
This theme is echoed in I’m Here, where solitude morphs into companionship, as a shadowy figure emerges to offer solace in the darkest hours. Such pieces reflect the delicate balance between absence and presence, questioning whether our identities are complete without the echoes of those we’ve loved.
Her most striking visual statement, Who’s Here?, embodies raw emotional surrender. The chaotic interplay of colour and form suggests the often-destructive allure of abandoning oneself to inner turmoil. Here, Vibakari crafts a visceral reminder of the risks and catharsis inherent in confronting our demons head-on.
The Power of Collaboration in Capturing Dual Realities
Olesya Sidorova’s photographic precision complements Vibakari’s emotive brushwork. This partnership ensures each piece strikes a balance between grounded realism and imaginative abstraction. The synergy between their techniques enables the works to resonate universally, illustrating the shared human experience of struggle, acceptance, and transformation.
Vibakari’s series does not merely depict human emotions; it asks the viewer to feel them. Each layer of paint and every detail in the photographs reflect her belief in the transformative power of understanding one’s inner world. Her works serve as a mirror, urging audiences to recognise that acknowledging vulnerability fosters strength and compassion.
Emotional Resonance
With Inner Demons, Vibakari solidifies her position as an artist capable of articulating the unspeakable. Her ability to blend realism with the intangible makes this series a powerful testament to the human condition. Whether viewed through the lens of personal introspection or societal commentary, her art offers profound insight into the silent battles waged within us all.
Through her innovative techniques and evocative themes, Vibakari ensures her work transcends time, echoing the eternal truth: it is only by confronting our inner demons that we can truly embrace our humanity.
