Margarita Art's journey into the world of art is a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of creativity, rebellion, and self-expression. Born in the far north of Russia, in a village in the Arkhangelsk region, Margarita's early life was steeped in the rich hues of pop culture, fashion, and makeup. "From childhood, I've been interested in pop culture, art, fashion, and makeup. As far back as I can remember, I've always been involved in creativity and self-expression," she shares. This early passion led her to experiment with makeup, draw, sew clothes for her Barbie dolls, and create various artistic compositions.
By the age of 7, Margarita was already wearing makeup daily, crafting looks that showcased her burgeoning talent. Her love for art extended to attending an art studio, modelling classes, and learning to sew. A particularly memorable childhood creation was a costume made from a black garbage bag and black tights, designed in collaboration with her mother. "It turned out very cool!" she exclaims. Her early forays into customising items, such as drawing anarchy symbols on her mother's old sneakers, were a testament to her fearless creativity.
Music played a significant role in shaping Margarita's artistic sensibilities. "I love music very much. When I was 14-17 years old, I was informal and expressed myself through my appearance," she recalls. Her love for rave culture and the freedom it represented influenced her first series of masks, designed for raves. This period of her life was marked by a profound sense of freedom and joy, dancing at live shows and festivals.
Margarita's unique style, which she terms "punk kid surrealism," is a vivid blend of childhood imagination, subcultural influences, and self-reflection. "It's about a kid's imagination, which is boundless, memories from childhood, games, visual illusions, and it's about subcultural influences on me and my identity," she explains. Her art, whether in the form of masks, makeup, objects, or photos, is a manifestation of her emotions and feelings.
The materials Margarita uses are often soft, tactile, or intended for children, emphasising the importance of maintaining a sense of childlike wonder. "I believe that everyone is a kid. And it's important to keep that in yourself," she asserts. Punk, for her, is not just about music or fashion but a broader philosophy of rebellion and freedom. "To do things your own way. To do things differently," she emphasises.
Her influences are a rich mix of cartoons, pop culture, movies from the 90s and 00s, and fashion magazines. "I was very impressed by Marilyn Manson's 'The Nobodies' music video I saw on TV when I was 7 years old," she recounts. Growing up in an environment that embraced self-expression, Margarita's early exposure to diverse media profoundly impacted her artistic development.
Margarita's creative process is as dynamic and eclectic as her art. She constantly jots down ideas, sketches, and experiments with materials. "Sometimes I implement them as quickly as possible, while other times I search for the right moment for years," she notes. Her process involves creating mood boards, experimenting with forms, and documenting her progress.
Collaboration with her partner, Maksim, plays a crucial role in her creative endeavours. "If the idea is to use a new format, then we work together," she explains. Whether it's integrating 3D, AR, AI, or creating video art, their collaborative efforts bring her visions to life. Margarita's artistic process often culminates in a shooting day, where she documents her work, sometimes shooting self-portraits or collaborating with Maksim for more complex shots.
Margarita draws inspiration from a myriad of sources, including life, family, love, and the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with the world. Her art encourages others to see things differently and express themselves without inhibition. "I believe that I inspire others, at the very least to see things differently, to express themselves without inhibition, and to showcase their true selves," she reflects.
Her innovative use of materials and unique artistic vision has had a significant impact on popular culture. From her first makeup look with plasticine circles to her daring 3D makeup masks, Margarita continually pushes the boundaries of conventional art forms. "I was just trying things I hadn't seen anyone else do," she says of her early experiments.
Margarita's talent has garnered attention in various media outlets in Russia and beyond. In 2019, she participated in the show 'Makeupers' Season 2 on Friday TV, which she describes as both fun and stressful. In 2020, she gave an interview to the cultural channel ARTE for their program 'Tracks.' "Work that I did for the episode about me, later Instagram reposted this to their page," she proudly shares.
Despite facing some negative reactions, particularly after her appearance on 'Makeupers,' Margarita remains undeterred. "On the streets, at parties and festivals, some people approached me to express their support and respect," she says. Her Instagram community remains a supportive space where she can freely express her creativity.
Living outside Russia for the past two years, Margarita reflects on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ artists in her home country. "Most of my friends, acquaintances, and colleagues from the community have also left," she reveals. Those who remain often resort to strict self-censorship due to increasing societal and governmental homophobia. "Society has become even more homophobic and this is supported at the state policy level," she laments. The invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has exacerbated these tensions, intensifying state scrutiny and cultural conservatism. This geopolitical upheaval has further marginalised LGBTQ+ artists in Russia, compelling many to adapt their work or retreat to underground channels to evade censorship and persecution.
Margarita's artistic ambitions continue to evolve, with recent projects like 'Humanflowers' showcasing her drive to push creative boundaries. "I visualised the symbiosis of humans and nature, creating an anthropomorphic form," she describes. This challenging project involved attaching a structure of living roses to her spine, resulting in a deeply personal and transformative piece.
If Margarita's artwork could speak, it would convey a rich tapestry of emotions and sounds, reflecting her inner world and the power of self-expression. "There is a lot of pain in my art, but they also speak to the power of self-expression and the fact that we can be brave despite obstacles," she says.
From a cat hissing at her plasticine makeup to festival-goers on LSD admiring her work as "glamorous ugliness," Margarita has encountered a range of memorable reactions. "At a festival, I was walking around in my masks and a group of guys on LSD came up to us and, talking about my art, called it glamorous ugliness. I agree," she laughs. These reactions underscore the provocative and boundary-pushing nature of her art.
Margarita Art's journey is a testament to the transformative power of creativity and self-expression. Through her unique style of punk kid surrealism, she challenges conventional norms and inspires others to embrace their true selves. Her art, rich with personal and cultural references, continues to captivate and provoke, leaving an indelible mark on the world of contemporary art.
See more of Margarita Art's work here.
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