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Russian creative Anastasia Sfeir is showcasing a collection of 19 vibrant artworks that pay tribute to women and portray their emotional depth and shared experiences.
The exhibition, entitled Self Portrait, takes viewers on an introspective journey and features evocative paintings that the artist has been working on since 2019.
“This journey began when I felt the need to express my inner feelings through my art,” the 43-year-old told GulfWeekly.
“The process of creating these self-portraits and figures that represent my emotions took time to develop, ultimately forming this collection recently as I discovered a common thread in my work.
“Each piece, in a way, captures the complexity of human emotions, serving as an homage to womanhood. While not all are literal portraits, they act as mirrors of our inner feelings. Women can see themselves in these artworks, symbolising happiness, loneliness, and beauty. This collection celebrates the strength and beauty of women,” she revealed.
Anastasia took a spontaneous approach throughout the creation of this series. While she used reference images, the painting process itself was ‘messy and experimental’. She believes it’s this ‘unpredictability’ that made the journey exciting.
“I allowed the painting to organically evolve without knowing the final outcome or emphasised aspects. Each piece took on a life of its own and led me to unexpected places, adding authenticity to the collection,” she explained.
Anastasia has used oil paints and oil pastels, which adds an interesting texture and depth, to bring the showcase alive. Some creations feature scarves, which are symbols of ‘protection and concealment, thus revealing the desire to shelf oneself from the world’s gaze’. Others have floral influences in ‘radiant and joyful’ hues, symbolising ‘happiness and the light that shines from within’.
Sunshine in the Cup, which shows a pair of hands holding a cup of tea, stands out to Anastasia.
“It serves as a visual conclusion to my journey, representing the idea of slowing down and truly savouring the moment. It captures the essence of finding joy in simplicity, which I believe is something we all need,” the Segaya resident added.
Anastasia has been painting since childhood and her love for art further intensified when she won an international art contest at the age of 13.
“My mother encouraged me and I went on to obtain a degree in fine arts from Vitebsk State Technological University in Belarus. I also recently completed a masters in art history from Smolensk State Institute of Arts,” noted the owner and founder of Workart Studio in Bahrain.
Anastasia has been living in the kingdom for the last 22 years. Five years ago, she started conducting art workshops at her studio, where she teaches adults how to paint. Before that, she taught art at a private school for more than a decade.
Anastasia has already started work on her next collection and will unveil it when she feels it’s the right time.
“I aspire to complete my new series of paintings, featuring Bahrain’s landmarks,” she added.
Self Portrait is open for public viewing at the Downtown Rotana hotel’s main lobby until June 14.
For more details, follow @ana_sfeir on Instagram.
