Meet Yulia Spiridonova | Artist & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yulia Spiridonova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yulia, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
One of the most important decisions I made in the past few years was to leave my home country as an act of protest against the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Under the current circumstances of strict censorship and the inability to express any concerns about the political regime within the Russian Federation, my decision to move to the USA allowed me to freely express my political views. It has also given me the opportunity to explore and process, through my artistic practice, the effects of the current geopolitical instability on the lives of countless people in different countries. Through my personal story and those of my friends and family, I examine how bureaucracy and politics interfere with the lives of ordinary people.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe in the humanitarian mission of my artwork. My collage and portraiture serve as a proposition for a nuanced and in-depth dialogue on universal issues, such as global geopolitical crises, bureaucracy, and national institutional structures that affect people across continents. Due to my personal background as a Russian artist, my work is primarily focused on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. However, I believe this example touches on many aspects of the nomadic experience—people navigating their lives within various political regimes, visa restrictions, citizenship issues, financial challenges, healthcare needs, education for their children, and personal relationships.

As a visual artist, my main challenge and adventure over the past few years has been to establish and develop a personal visual language within the rich history of collage. My approach is heavily influenced by my professional experience as a photo editor for nearly a decade in various media companies. I extensively use found visuals from the web, blending them with my own photographs and personal archival materials. This method allows me to create the conceptual dialogue I seek, illustrating how political and social spheres are deeply intertwined with personal narratives.

I am focused on developing a visual language that combines both digital and physical collage. My process merges Photoshop proficiency with hands-on craftsmanship using scissors, various printing and transferring techniques, and diverse presentation methods. This combination allows me to maintain a unique artistic voice that reflects the idea of a multilayered perception of the universe and the coexistence of different perspectives—a conceptual paradigm I emphasize in my work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I believe the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s indoor courtyard is a hidden gem in the heart of Boston, offering a beautiful setting for a meeting or a date among lush tropical flora. In addition to this serene garden, the museum’s extensive collection of old master artworks is a must-see for any art lover.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I recently graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my professors and long-term mentors Laura McPhee, Matthew Connors, David Hilliard, and Matthew Monteith for their tremendous influence on my professional development and personal growth. Their guidance has been invaluable in shaping my visual language and enhancing my ability to verbally articulate my artistic ideas. I am profoundly grateful for their support.

Website: https://yuliaspiridonova.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liver_lovers/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yulia-spiridonova-126a31264/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yuliadspiridonova/

Image Credits
GWD (The Hybrid Image III), 2023, Wood Panel, Archival Inkjet Print, Resin, 11 x 14 inches
GWD (The Hybrid Image IV), 2023, Metal Plate, Archival Inkjet Print, Acrylic Coating, Plexiglas, UV Print, Engraving, 12 x 17 inches
GWD (The Hybrid Image II), 2023, Wood Panel, Archival Inkjet Print, Resin, 9 x 9 inches
GWD (Studio Construction II), 2022, Archival Inkjet Print, sizes various
GWD (Chest), 2022, Archival Inkjet Print, sizes various
Untitled (Coat of arms), 2024, Archival Inkjet Print, sizes various
GWD (Studio Construction I), 2022, Archival Inkjet Print, sizes various
Untitled (Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building), 2022, Archival Inkjet Print, sizes various