I create ceramic sculptures to explore my identity and cultural roots. Growing up in Russia and immigrating to the U.S. at 17, both parts of my life are intertwined. I reference traditional Central Russian ceramic toys to reflect my upbringing and conventional views of femininity, using painted sculptures to overlay my personal experiences.

My work features two main forms: a woman in a bell-shaped skirt and a domestic animal, often with human traits or my own face. The ram or goat symbolizes stubbornness in Russian culture, which I embrace as a reflection of women challenging tradition. The simplified female form with a pedestal-like skirt references traditional gender roles, while surface designs incorporate personal and cultural symbols.

Through these sculptures, I explore and process the complexities of my experience and shifting worldview, making the process both cathartic and revealing.