By the Lake 5 Print

Anastasia Avraliova, born in 1988 in Belarus and currently residing in Tbilisi, Georgia, is a figurative painter and graphic artist whose primary focus is portraiture. Her artistic practice explores the intricate relationship between external appearance and the inner aspects of human existence, fostering intimate dialogues that engage with themes of memory and the representation of diverse human experiences. This approach delves into complex notions of identity, belonging, and what she refers to as the existential "music" of an individual’s presence. Avraliova’s background in monumental art, including the creation of church murals, mosaics, stained-glasses and interior canvases, profoundly influences her current work. Her style is characterized by primitive and philosophical elements, drawing inspiration from ancient artistic traditions, particularly funeral portraits. Her artworks blend aspects of tombstones, monuments, and childlike sketches, harmonizing meticulous planning of structure and composition with spontaneous execution. This dynamic invites viewers into a warm, empathetic dialogue that reflects on the questions of life, death, and the presence of the individual in this world. By primarily working from life and direct observation, she captures her subjects’ inner lives within their presence in the room with artist. Color serves as a fundamental tool, revealing the hidden dimensions of human existence through acrylics on canvas, watercolors, pastels, and colored pencils.