I related the deities from Tatar legends to the ones I've met in my life. Perhaps, when I was a child I saw them clearer. Now I see only the bleak shadows of them, but then... They ruled my life. I praised them, appeased them with gifts and spells. They taught me rituals I didn't yet understand. The Gin 2024, soft pastels on paper I lived next to a gin. They say, gins have no gender, but mine had. And he was a father. They say, they are most afraid of metal. But mine wasn't. He slept with a giant copper crucifix under his pillow, mocking christianity. He wasn't afraid of One God because he was a God himself, and his world was filled with dozens of mighty deities.The Sihirche 2022, liner on paper My mother, his wife, was a sihirche. She turned village people to Ubyrs and they served her like little dogs. She gave me that power too. Together with the gin they enchanted me, I was under their protection for my whole life. Yuha 2025, collage, mixed technique I caught a glance of her, constantly transforming. Covered in shiny scales to distract you, looking for a new husband to eat alive, changing her shape to attract anyone. Insatiable hunger and alluring beauty.
Sun Swallower
2023, oil pastels on paper
I saw him on top of the world, in the north, where the sun rays are scarce. He was once just like us, but he wanted more. He grew into a giant. He devoured the sun, and the blinding glow shone through him. I stared at his only eye, as he was descending, sinking in the snowdrifts. My eyes hurt.
Entering the Liminal
2023, quilling, watercolor on paper
Sometimes I see it clearer than my physical surroundings.
The room fades away, as I see the shadows staring at me with their glowing eyes. These thousand-faced, cruel and merciful beasts have seen all our history. I seek their advice. I live under their patronage. I beg them to stay.