Sofya Tamarina

  • fy18st@leeds.ac.uk

2022: Art & Design BA Hons

Showcase

Statement

The project explores the connection between a person and a space, the notions of identity and belonging, becoming a way to process the emotions brought by the constantly changing world around us.

Final Piece – I Feel

Focusing on the idea of finding one’s place in the world, this project explores the connection between a person and their environment. This video piece immerses the viewer into the imaginary space, created in response to the artist’s inner world. This filmic work becomes a way to process the emotions brought by the constantly changing world around us. The diary-like quality, with the voice narrative alongside it and the first-person perspective of the imagery allows the viewer to feel closer to the artist. The story becomes a journey through memories, space and time.

The biggest influence was found in the works of Chris Marker, Jessica Ashman and Yuri Norstein, that in very distinct ways explored the notions of identity and place. The ticking of the clocks in the background of the piece creates tension and focuses the viewer’s attention on the passing images. The ordinary objects – walls, ceiling, windows, ladder, wires, lightbulbs, bars – are brought to the attention of the viewer. The journey through the apartment is at times interrupted by the static images and patterns overlaying the photographs. The animated prints carry the emotional and gestural quality, transforming the spaces. The monochrome tones of the depiction add to the sense of time. The piece embodies the personal struggle without showing a figure that experiences the emotions. Colliding together different environments by editing and layering the footage, the video explores the notions of identity and belonging.

Preparatory piece – Who am I?

Music by Marco Cirillo.

The charcoal drawings transformed into animation reflected on the story of finding oneself. The story started with the grown-up character not knowing what to do with itself, turning in space, slightly tilting the arms and legs, without its place and without purpose. The character then goes back to the younger version of it, the one without the burden of expectations, the one which is focused on the process of existence. The character leans to the younger self and merges with it, finding the purpose and becoming whole again. The transparency of the drawings allowed to overlay the characters with the moving paintings, conveying the sense of the inner world expressed through the painting.

Preparatory Piece – The Process of Existence

The project started with me reflecting on my journey in the last few years. It was about change, finding myself, understanding and accepting myself more. I read a book by James Bugental in which he discussed that our true identity lies in the process of our existence. That you can only feel yourself in the moment. I started reading the book aloud, then listening to my voice and painting what I feel. I tried to reflect on who I am, who I see myself as. I then used these paintings to create the inner world of the characters in a story of one searching for oneself, trying to answer the questions discussed in the book – who am I? what am I?

If my work resonated with you, reminded you of something, made you think or made you smile, please feel free to get in touch and let me know.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me on this journey. Especially to Andrea Thoma, Louise Wilson, Richard Gee and Tom McVeigh.