Liudmila Panenkova

Liudmila Panenkova is a professional full time Artist, based in Dubai since 2016. Liudmila’s unconventional and highly detailed artworks derived from her passion to engraving and academic drawing; her works get the spectator engaged into the conversation through attention to details and hidden symbolic meanings encrypted behind the theological and existential themes. Her art makes the audience to step back from contemporary art to more niche art appealing to the experience of discussing the mental and spiritual nature of things individually. Her first solo exhibition was held in Moscow but she always aspired to work on the international art scene and apart of 3 solo exhibitions in Dubai, participated in numerous art shows and projects across UAE, Europe, UK and Asia, creating unique detailed ink and mixed media drawings of different scale. Nowadays her recognizable technique and concept of reworking and romanticizing the familiar religious and spiritual plots for contemporary audiences are defined by curators and collectors as magic realism style. Liudmila has taken part in the governmental exhibitions, collaborated with Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation and Tashkeel, participated in established art fairs at Carrousel Du Louvre, World Art Dubai and Sikka Art Fair. UAE Golden visa holder as a creative talent.

6 questions with Liudmila Panenkova

We ask our emerging artists 6 questions to uncover what drives their work, practice, and creativity.

What themes or questions do you find recurring in your work?

Themes of Faith, sacrifice and miracles. I try to emphasize the divine or magical nature of the “ordinary things”, everything can become a fairytale when we look at things without prejudice, yet every fairytale has the dramatic element to test one’s beliefs.

Can you describe a pivotal moment in your journey as an artist?

Since I was a 5 years old child I’ve known that drawing and being an artist is my only destiny. None in my family had an artistic talent, but for me creating was the same organic thing as breathing, sleeping, eating…

What materials or processes are most important in your practice - and why?

Paper as a material - It’s texture and color tone can add volume and mystery to the artwork and can absolutely “kill it”. I prefer to work with watercolor or canvas textured surfaces. Hatching as the process, it literally “carves” the objects.

How do you want people to feel when they experience your work?

They should be able to set the inner dialogue with my piece. The artwork should “speak” to them and as every conversation it can be positive or provocative.

What does a typical day in your studio look like?

From the dawn till midnight, can call myself an artist who chooses the hermitage in a studio over the social life. Just my ideas, my beloved cat, some music and full focus as drawing practice requires accuracy, patience and discipline, you can’t add cover the mistake once you work with ink medium.

What dreams or hopes do you have for your artistic journey?

I wish I could bring the spiritual themes and religious plots back to the contemporary art scene. I often feel the lack of responsibility in contemporary art, it becomes too populistic, too decorative or just “too much” losing the idea of art itself. Fine art has its roots deeply in mythological and religious art. Art should stay across the cultural codes and beyond the boundaries, it appeals to the individual emotional experience and memories.