It is said that a true artist goes beyond aesthetics towards fulfilling a higher purpose for the greater majority. Russian photographer extraordinaire Maria Ovsyannikova (pictured) achieves this by bridging cultures through her works.
The self-taught photographer takes pride as one of the artists actively taking part in the ongoing Qatar Russia 2018 Year of Culture in a unique project which started several months ago.
“Through this project, I try to show the connection between the cultures of Russia and Qatar by bringing Qatari people to well-known places in Moscow and Russian people to famous locations in Doha like Souq Waqif or Corniche to take their photos in their traditional dress,” Ovsyannikova told The Peninsula during a recent showcase of her works.
On Friday and Saturday last week, the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Museum organised Russian Festival in which Ovsyannikova was one of the featured artists with her series of images created especially for the exhibition and was part of the project which began in March.
“I usually derive inspiration from local culture. For this project, I got inspired by the idea of the Year of Culture itself. When Qatar Museums announced the Qatar Russia 2018 Year of Culture, I thought of the best way on how I could effectively connect both of our cultures visually through my artworks,” she said.
With the overwhelming response and positive feedback she gets from Russians and Qataris, she considers the project an amazing experience as an artist.
Asked on what’s common between Russian and Qatari cultures, she said: “Actually horses are widely incorporated in both cultures. We all adore horses- Qataris and Russians. We also have camels in the southern part of Russia and falconry is very much developed as well, so these are very much connecting our cultures.”
She is upbeat of the positive impact of the Year of Culture saying: “I think before, Russian culture was not really that exposed to Qatari and Arab people. After we have this year of culture, I think both countries will understand more about each other’s cultural heritage and traditions.” On Qatar’s art landscape, she said: “Qatar’s art scene is quickly developing. I’m so happy that companies and governments are supporting artists and bringing more artists here, so I think there’s a huge future for Qatar’s art scene.”
Ovsyannikova has been working in Qatar for six years, the last three of which as a professional photographer.
Her last exhibition was the month-long “A Journey from North to South” which recently concluded in Katara Art Centre and was also part of the Year of Culture.
“In that exhibition, I showed the beautiful countryside in the north and south of Qatar. My subjects included horses, camels, oryxes, falcons and traditional activities of people in Qatar,” she said, adding her next show will be in Russia.
“I’m going there with Qatar Museums to exhibit some of my artworks, together with other Qatari and expat artists. It will be a big exhibition in St. Petersburg showcasing different artworks from photographs and paintings to sculptures and installations,” she said.
