Anastasia Natrella

Artist Statement

From the time when I was adopted at age 3 from St. Petersburg, Russia, and then while growing up in lower Manhattan along the Hudson River, my paintings have reflected my fascination with nature and the environment, especially the Hudson River esplanade. Along with other issues such as identity and the ongoing dualities we find in life, I frequently return to exploring aspects of the riverfront from all angles, including from my bedroom window.

In particular, my paintings and multi-media work explore the dualities present throughout life. In my creative practice, my goal is to intrigue the viewer to ask questions about what they see, what they feel, and to question what is invented, modified, and repurposed. I paint images and patterns, both realistic and otherworldly, including rendering symbols, everyday objects, and portraits. My favorite medium is oil, but I also like to experiment with different textures and materials to push boundaries and help me grow as an artist.

By mixing natural elements with elements of mystery, I often explore the tension between good and evil. Thus, my work looks not just at lightness and calmness, but also darkness and chaos. Themes that I focus on, and want to continue focusing on, include exploring identity, duality, and the natural and mystical worlds. After several major works involving portraits and identity, more recently, I focused on the beauty, and sometimes terror, of our environment. For example, two of my larger companion pieces, “The Duality of Water” and “Earth & Fire,” forcibly intersect the four classical elements—water, air, earth, and fire—to question the tension of both their negative and positive impacts. Future themes include looking at identity, immigration, and City life through the lens of international adoption, a topic that resonates with me.