Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the regime-critical artists in the country have lost their arena to exhibit art.
One of them is 29-year-old Alisa Gorzhenina from the Ural Mountains. She often has an indigenous theme in her art and thinks it is important that there are Russians in Russia who are against the war in Ukraine.
– My life has changed a lot since the war started. Before the war I was more popular in Russia and I had many exhibitions and got opportunities to grow. But now I only have one exhibition in Russia. Several galleries and other artists do not want to work with me because I am against the war, she says in an interview with NRK Sápmi.
“Believe in a better future”
Instead, she now exhibits her art at the Hamsun Center at Hamarøy in Norway.
– In Norway and other countries, I can express myself openly. I can talk about all sorts of topics and that’s very important because I can’t do that in Russia. But I hope that will change in the future.
Several regime-critical artists have left Russia. But despite the risks, 29-year-old Gorsjenina has chosen to stay. This even if she was sentenced to a fine in connection with an anti-war demonstration, among other things.
– This is my home and I wish to live here. I understand that it’s dangerous for me sometimes, but I don’t live in Moscow, and that’s good. I believe in a better future.
“Shows a completely different perspective”
Solveig Hirsch, director of the Hamsun Centre, about the exhibition.
– It is made as a timeline where she describes how the last two years have been. There are her diary entries, photographs and textile art. It shows a completely different perspective on the situation in Russia. It shows vulnerability, the personal and the human, she says.
When asked if they do not expose her to danger by exhibiting the art in Norway, Hirsch answers.
– We have discussed it internally and we have also discussed it with other actors who collaborate with Russian artists. But she wants this and both she and we are willing to take this risk.