Natalia Lapotko

I am a London-based artist, originally from Moscow, Russia. Having read History at the University of Cambridge, UK, I worked as a journalist before pursuing my passion in art. My background has led me to explore historical, social and political themes in my work.

One of my first series of paintings depicted famous politicians, intellectuals, and writers through the prism of pop art. In my work, I have also explored emotions that we face in our daily lives. My series, “The Nude Boxer” explores how human emptions such as ecstasy, despair and anger are shaped by contemporary challenges. The series also speaks to the current mental health crisis and its relationship with the social media.

I am currently working on a series “From Russia with Pain: Past and Present”. Influenced by my prolonged stay in Moscow in the summer of 2019, it explores my personal impressions of a modern mega polis, torn between its self-representation as an idyllic urban cityscape and the realities of popular protest and persecution.

A graduate of the Ilya Repin Academy in Florence, I draw inspiration from the technique of old Renaissance masters, seen through modern light. I work primarily with the oil medium and use bright colours and thick brush st...

Classes with Moscow based artist Svetlana Tokareva since 2001

Cambridge University, BA Hons History 2006-2009

Cambridge University, M.Phil Political Thought and Intellectual History 2009-2010

Life Drawing Evening Course, Autumn Term 2016, Royal Drawing School, Shoreditch

Life Drawing Christmas Workshop, December 2016, Royal Drawing School, Shoreditch

Drawing a Head Evening: Expression and Colour Course, Spring Term 2017, Royal Drawing School, Shoreditch

Figure Painting and Portraiture Fall 2017, The Florence Academy of Art, Florence

Repin St. Petersburg Art Academy branch in Florence Jan.2019 - Current

Solo Exhibition: 3 October 2018; Venue: Ninetyeight,  London

Memories organised by PoptArt Gallery: May 8, 2018;  Venue: The Union Ludgate, London

Solo Exhibition: 8 June 2017; Venue: Ninetyeight,  London

Indulge organised by PoptArt Gallery: February 9, 2017; Venue: The Canary, London

Viva organised by PoptArt Gallery: January 24, 2016;  Venue: Three Eight Four, London

Russian Legal Forum organised by Vedomosti Newspaper: October 25- 28, 2013;  Ritz Carlton Hotel, Moscow

Exhibition No 5: April -June , 2013; Venue Garag, Museum of Contemporary  Art,  Moscow

Art-Manej, October-November, 2005; Venue: Art-Manej, Gostiny Dvor, Moscow

Russian Art Help: April -September, 2005; Venue: Russian Embassy,  London

Russian Art Help: April - September, 2005; Venue: UK Embassy, Moscow