Natalya Sergeeva

My art is a way to explore the rebirth of photography and attempts to find new meanings through digital and manual processing. Capturing reality does not interest me; I find it fascinating to communicate through the language of images and metaphors. I take the original shot myself, carefully preparing and shooting it. I consciously reject volume and realism in photography: flat lighting, sharp contours, and distorted shapes create a flat, irrational space. My works often feature unusual color combinations and unreal contrasts. Each photograph undergoes at least three manipulations. Art processing for me is not decoration, but an invitation to dialogue where there is no "right" or "wrong." The image gains new energy and resonance, where everyone can see something of their own. The frame becomes just a fragment. What was a moment turns into a story. The themes of my works are born from the personal: post-Soviet childhood, human relationships—dreams, desires, and vices. I am interested in the relationships between humans and nature, the inner world of the individual. Each piece is an inner dialogue born from intuition and reflection. Nevertheless, I do not insist on my own interpretation. Viewers' reactions are always varied: some are captivated by the fantasy, explosion of colors, and vivid images, discovering personal meaning in them; others just smile in bewilderment, shrugging their shoulders. That's how it should be—I am not seeking a universal response. If I manage to evoke any response from the viewer, I consider it a victory.