Bestiary. Hyena Sculpture

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 Barcelona were marked by a profound introspection, a retreat from the public eye, driven by personal circumstances and a need to create without the pressure of external validation. Her artistic journey, however, was far from static. Gradually, Kochneva’s interests shifted towards painting and the ephemeral art of window dressing. Barcelona’s streets, with their chaotic blend of the sacred and the profane, became a canvas for her evolving vision. She drew inspiration from the allegorical depths of Romanesque frescoes, with their intricate Christian-cosmic interpretations of the universe, and the raw, unfiltered expressions of street art. The ancestral crafts of various cultures, each piece a testament to humanity’s enduring creativity, also captivated her imagination. To date, Kochneva’s works have not graced major exhibitions nor been acquired by prominent collectors. Yet, this absence from the public sphere is not a void but a space of potential. Now, with a renewed sense of purpose, Masha Kochneva steps into the art world, ready to share the fruits of her solitary journey. Her creations are not just art but profound expressions of a life lived in contemplation and quiet rebellion.