Edge of Dreams | The Work of Natasha Dikareva
"Edge of Dreams" presents a scene where ancient gods and enduring archetypes find themselves tangled in the strange and often baffling threads of modern life.
I imagine these divine beings - once so sure, so resolute - now pausing as they try to make sense of humanity’s latest antics. Each sculpture is a snapshot of that encounter, blending curiosity and bemusement.
But the story doesn't end with the gods. Dreams have crept in too—those slippery, elusive fragments of the subconscious that defy logic yet somehow illuminate the darkest corners of our minds. In these sculptures, the surreal and the sacred intertwine, spinning a narrative that teeters between clarity and confusion, much like the world itself. The figures offer an invitation to wander into an ethereal landscape, where the gods, the dreams, and the tangled threads of human thought converge, each seeking a moment of clarity within the shimmering haze.
We are so proud to feature the work of Natasha Dikareva, who has been showing work across the country for over 25 years in many solo and group shows. Natasha has claimed many awards for her work and when you view them, the organic colors and textures pull you in with magnetic force. She is a prolific artist whose work we juried in the About Face international exhibition at Fountain Street in Boston. Natasha is one of these artists that stay on your radar. With such striking work, each imaginative piece, they leave the viewer wanting more. Seeing a piece of art in a gallery in its true form is always a must, but often, the information on the label does not and cannot share enough information about the work and the artists. Each artist is telling a story, a meaningful contribution to humanity. Like an author, but a narrative not shared in words on a page, but in form and color and the raw emotion that comes from within.
Natasha was born in Kiev, Ukraine and much of her work harkens back to her origin and her perspective of our sociopolitical climate. From this reality stimulated by nature and dream-like imagery, Natasha builds mystical and imaginative creatures with her clay, almost always with a face, an eye or some organic textures that lead the viewer to discover clues to the secrets the sculptures behold, letting the viewer decide. The hands of this artist are clever, compassionately skillful and always transport us somewhere new. Let us really reflect on the shift she is making in her work to bring awareness to the needless suffering and violence that is destroying her birthplace.
Having family in Eastern Europe, Natasha and I connected through a discussion about her home, Ukraine, the war and the worries. Her work at Fountain Street last year was a tender reminder of what was happening in her homeland. In a couple weeks, we were about to travel close to the border of Ukraine to Romania for a wedding of a friend. I mentioned how I was torn about traveling so close to the conflict, not because I was worried about anything happening, but because we would be celebrating at the Black Sea, a wedding that would celebrate into the night, while I knew people in Ukraine were being displaced and facing violence. Natasha’s firm positivity reminded me, “No matter what, Michelle, we have to keep celebrating and moving forward. We have to.” Those words she spoke will stay with me.
Artist Statement
My work is deeply rooted in the experiences and stories that have shaped my life. Born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine, I carry the cultural tapestry of my homeland, a place where history and tradition are intertwined with a profound sense of resilience and aspiration.
My journey as an artist began under the shadow of Chernobyl, a tragic event that compelled my family to seek refuge in the United States. This displacement, while marked by loss and uncertainty, opened a new chapter in my artistic exploration. It was in this unfamiliar landscape that I discovered the power of narrative art as a means to navigate the complexities of identity, belonging, and the human condition.
My work is best described as narrative, surreal, and otherworldly. Through my sculptures, I invite viewers into a dream-scape where reality and imagination coexist. The visual storytelling that unfold in my art is inspired by personal experiences, mythology of many cultures and folk tales of my homeland. They are stories of transformation, and the enduring human spirit, often presented in a surreal and fantastical way.
Recently, the tumultuous events surrounding Russia's invasion of Ukraine have profoundly impacted both my art and my sense of purpose as an artist. I find myself deeply connected to the ongoing struggles and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. My work has shifted to reflect the urgency of this moment, it has become a vessel through which I can express my solidarity, outrage, and belief for a better future for Ukraine and its people.
“Through my art, I strive to evoke emotions, spark conversations, and raise awareness about the pressing issues affecting not only Ukraine but also the broader human experience. I hope that my sculptures resonate with audiences on a profound level, encouraging them to contemplate the complexities of life, identity, and the ever-changing world we inhabit.” —Natasha Dikareva
Natasha Dikareva
In her studio
For the Edge of Dreams exhibition Natasha was invited to exhibit 30 sculptures. She will have a central big wall, works on pedestals and in the window of the gallery to showcase her work. There will be 6 more artists who will participate in this show in this wonderful gallery space outside of Boston in Concord, MA.
Edge of Dreams
Three Stones Gallery, Concord, MA
September 11 - October 20, 2024
As we enter the fall, our show celebrates the interaction of the imagined and the realistic. Represented artist Patricia Ganek’s exuberant paintings redefine classic still life with her impasto technique. Guest artist Natasha Dikareva exhibits surreal sculptures that are conduits to another universe where meditative contemplation resides. Represented artist Lyca Blume, inspired by the Japanese tradition of kintsugi (mending with gold), presents abstract acrylic paintings with gold leaf. Her work evokes healing of the psyche through dream fragments. This show also features new works by represented artists: Jillian Demeri, Joe Faria, Cindy Crimmin, Martha Wakefield.
Reception: Saturday, September 21, 6-8 pm
“Recently, the tumultuous events surrounding Russia's invasion of Ukraine have profoundly impacted both my art and my sense of purpose as an artist. I find myself deeply connected to the ongoing struggles and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. My work has shifted to reflect the urgency of this moment, it has become a vessel through which I can express my solidarity, outrage, and belief for a better future for Ukraine and its people.”
