Artist Statement
My primary motivation is to contribute to the creation of a kinder, more empathetic and, therefore, happier world by illuminating the experience of immigration, integration and the cultural Code.
I use archival documents as a source of information, and my surreal and vivid images highlight connections, drawing parallels between past and present events and sometimes working through the errors of the Code.
In my works, be it paintings, performances or installations, there are three central recurring motifs: fish, bicycles and houses. For me, fish symbolize inner values and deep-rooted emotions in our hearts. On the other hand, houses represent a refuge of safety and love. Natural or metaphysical abodes act as mental refuges, providing refuge in difficult times. Finally, bicycles with their wheels serve as both a testimony to a way of life and a metaphor for the cyclical nature of existence, reflecting the timeless concept of the wheel of samsara. I strive to illuminate social and personal issues in each piece and instil a sense of sustainability and hope.
My ultimate goal is to inspire action and optimism by creating a narrative that empowers audiences to creatively confront and overcome our time's challenges.
Anastasiia Lodde (short version of the video), the performance is dedicated to the action ‘Returning the Names’ that is supposed to remember the victims of Soviet political terror.