Alikas Sculpture

Since my school days, I always preferred to draw, sketch, or write strange stories instead of paying attention in class. These stories were often misunderstood by those around me, but that never stopped me. At that time, I discovered the works of Stephen King, films like *Hellraiser*, and animated series such as *Courage the Cowardly Dog* and *Samurai Jack*. These films, books, and animations opened up a limitless world of ideas and images, inspiring me to create creatures that, while not existing in our reality, felt almost tangible, as if they existed just beyond our reach, in a parallel world. Over the years, my fascination with mysticism, the supernatural, and the unknown only grew stronger. I later delved into the works of Tim Burton and Kazuma Kaneko—artists whose styles remain enduring sources of inspiration for me. Their art opened new horizons, helping me shape characters and worlds that continue to live in my imagination. During my time at the academy, I explored Japanese horror animation, such as *Yami Shibai (Theatre of Darkness)*. These films were some of the most terrifying I had ever seen, but even through the fear, I found ideas for new sketches. The game *Pathologic* also left a profound impact on me with its primal yet captivating style. Moving to Cyprus marked a new chapter in my life, where I met the renowned sculptor Arseniy Lysenko. He showed me what it truly means to be a sculptor, and from that moment on, I began to sculpt while continuing my sketching. During this time, I also met Dmitry Muntian, the creator of the *Mr. Freeman* project. His unique animation with deep philosophical undertones greatly influenced me. After graduating from the academy, I moved to Finland and took online courses on creating paintings using textured paste. This decision was a turning point, and I finally committed myself entirely to art. Now, I aim to create works that are not only interesting but also unconventional, evoking thoughts about the depths of the human soul. My inspiration comes from everything around me: films, books, animation, games, paintings, and sculptures. My style is deeply connected with mysticism, mythology, and elements of horror, and I continue to explore these themes in my art.