Artists in Conversation: Minya
About the Artist
Minya’s abstract expressionist works resonate with the complexities of war, offering a profound reflection on personal experiences and emotions
Q&A
Inspiration & Style
Q: What initially inspired you to become an artist, & how did you develop your unique style in abstract expressionism?
Answer:
Ever since childhood, I had a fondness for art in its various forms, but it was merely a hobby. One day, while sitting with friends and discussing art, we had an extensive conversation. After that meeting, I went home and watched the film The Accountant, which featured a piece by Jackson Pollock. It left a profound impression on me. Though I already knew who Pollock was, this time, his work deeply moved me. The next day, I bought a canvas, brushes, and paints and decided to give it a try. It wasn't easy at first, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Later, I delved into abstract expressionism, studying it more intensely. I was especially inspired by the works of Pollock, De Kooning, Richter, and Basquiat. And I decided, yes! This is my calling!
Pictured to the Left/Above: ‘Affect’ (Oil on Canvas, Enamel)Techniques & Materials
Q: Why did you choose to commit to oil paints over other mediums like acrylic, and how do they help you convey the emotions and themes in your work?
Answer
Oil paints are alive to me, giving me a sense of reality, as if we are one. I also use enamel, which highlights my work. While oil paints breathe life into my creations, enamel adds expression. I have tried acrylic as well, but it feels soulless and simplistic to me; I don't connect with it. However, I hold no grudges against acrylic; there are fantastic works created with it, but it’s just not for me.
Art Amidst Adversity
Q: In the midst of the Ukraine war, how has your creative process evolved?
Can you share a specific moment or artwork that encapsulates the emotional landscape of living through such turbulent times?
Answer
Undoubtedly, the war leaves its mark on my work. Each subsequent piece has grown deeper and more complex. My artworks are not about the war itself but its impact on me. I have one piece directly related to the war, which my subconscious revealed, called ‘Injustice.’ The rest are more about my internal emotions.
Refer to the artwork ‘Injustice’ pictured below).
Pictured: 'Injustice'
(Oil on Canvas, Enamel)Personal Significance
Q: Painting has become your sanctuary, where memories of the war and losing a very important person in your life deeply influence your work.
How do these memories shape the themes and emotions in your art?
Can you elaborate on how this sanctuary impacts your creative process?
Answer
That’s a good question, touching on a more personal aspect that few know about. Yes, the war influences my work, but a significant influence is a person important to me. It’s a girl I had a relationship with, but we parted ways. This breakup was a huge emotional blow to me. I even saw a psychologist, but it was still very tough. My art helped me cope. Each piece conveys my state, emotion, and the moments I’ve lived through, expressing what I can’t say in words. There is a part of this girl in every one of my works. My unconscious mind creates the artwork, and only later do I realize what I have painted. In some pieces, you can notice a human figure, and that figure is her. I see it only after the fact.
You can notice this in works like “You,” “Subconscious,” and “Shape” (artworks pictured below).
When I paint, I am entirely immersed in it, as if there is no war, no problems; I am in my own world with just me, the paints, and the canvas.
Pictured (left to right): ‘You’, ‘Shape’ and ‘Subconscious’
All paintings are oil on canvas & enamel.‘
Art Viewers
Q: What change or impact do you hope your art will have on viewers and the broader community?
Answer
Everyone sees what they want or need to see in my art, what troubles them. If someone sees what I conveyed, that is the greatest reward for me.
Dialogue
Q: Your work often conveys deep and complex emotions. How do you think your art fosters conversations about the human experience and societal issues?
Answer
Yes, of course. My works contain pain, fear, anxiety, despair, and occasionally pleasant moments. Most of them are melancholic, but that's just who I am. As I mentioned, everyone sees something personal in my paintings, a problem, a feeling, an emotion, something that troubles them. I don't know what bothers people, and they may not always know either, but perhaps my works can help them find out.
Art as Communication
Q: In what ways do you feel your art communicates what words cannot express, specifically regarding your experiences of the war?
Answer
There are many things I cannot say, don't want to say, or simply don't know how to express. But my subconscious can depict them on canvas. It’s like having a soulful conversation with the canvas through paints. Sometimes it's a short dialogue, and other times, a long one.
Challenges & Overcoming Them
Q: Can you discuss any particular challenges you faced while creating your works and how you overcame them? How do you stay motivated and inspired despite setbacks or creative blocks and what advice would you give other artists about this?
Answer
Of course, I cannot paint like a robot. There are times when I don't feel like painting, but there's a sense that I need to. Then I sit in front of the canvas and start painting. Sometimes, I feel nothing, just emptiness, and in those moments, I can't create anything. I've tried, but it doesn’t work; you just sit and stare at the blank canvas. My advice? The most important thing is not to force yourself to paint. Trust me, when you need to, you will automatically pick up the brush or whatever you use and start creating. And perhaps I’d advise not to alter your work to please someone else. It's your painting, your vision, and that's how it should be.
Future Aspirations & Current Projects
Q: What future projects are you considering, and how might they continue or evolve from your current series?
Additionally, could you share any other projects you're currently working on and any current or upcoming exhibitions you have.
Answer
I want to create a large piece, maybe several; we’ll see. Unfortunately, at the moment, I don’t have the opportunity because I need a larger space. In the future, yes, I definitely want to have a solo exhibition. However, I feel that I’m not quite ready yet, though I know I’m very close. My ultimate dream is to exhibit my work at MoMA and the Guggenheim Museum. And I assure you, I will make that happen, and of course, I will share that experience with you!
Pictured: 'Suffering'
(Oil on Canvas, Enamel)