Maria Kochneva

Masha Kochneva’s life began in the vast, enigmatic expanse of the USSR, where her early years were marked by constant movement along its borders. This nomadic existence, punctuated by brief respites in unfamiliar towns, fostered in her a sense of dislocation that would later permeate her art. At nine, the ceaseless journey came to an end in Saint Petersburg, a city heavy with history and melancholy. There, her artistic awakening began.

Enrolling in the famed Art School N190, Kochneva’s talent was honed amidst the crumbling grandeur of the city. It was a place where dreams and reality often blurred, a theme that would become central to her work. Later, at the Stieglitz State University of Applied Arts, she immersed herself in the world of sculpture, choosing metals as her primary medium. Her sculptures, always figurative, always allegorical, became vessels of her inner turmoil and existential reflections.

The narrative of her life took a poignant turn when she relocated to Barcelona. In this vibrant city, awash with color and life, Kochneva sought solace and a fresh start. She dedicated herself to the meticulous craft of hot enameling, producing small, exquisite pieces that bore the weight of ancient techniques. These years in Bar...