The Road to New York for ArtExpo
A vibrant and multifaceted exhibition of contemporary art recently took place at ArtExpo New York in Manhattan .
Brief sketches
One can talk endlessly about contemporary art, but I would like to focus on a few works that impressed me.
Among the many exhibits, the works of Natalia Sosnova stood out . Her work draws the eye and holds it. Her pieces cannot be perceived as simply decorative objects—they are multilayered, vibrant compositions that combine acrylic, glass, natural minerals, resin, and metallic finishes, including gold leaf. The lacquered surface enhances depth, and light literally "turns on" the painting, causing it to change throughout the day. Her works seem to radiate warmth and an inner light. Particularly memorable is a composition featuring a heart—not an anatomical one, but a symbolic one: a heart that feels, loves, and gives birth to life. It's not just an image, but an emotional center to which you return again and again.
In an interview, Natalia Sosnova explained that she was born in Kyiv, in a home where creativity was a part of everyday life. Her mother painted matryoshka dolls and worked in the Petrykivka painting tradition, and from childhood, Natalia developed a subtle sense of color, texture, and craftsmanship.
Looking at her work, it becomes clear: it's not just a product of schooling, but also an innate artistic vision. Natalia has lived in the United States since 1998, worked as a nurse for over 20 years, and raised her daughter, Jasmine, a law school student.
This balance in life—between responsibility, care, and inner strength—is reflected in her art.
For Natalia, creativity is not a hobby, but an inner necessity that over time has become an integral part of her life.
Her works don't just decorate a space; they change the atmosphere, creating a sense of depth, peace, and, at the same time, inner movement.
Interestingly, the visual impact of her works can be compared to that of Slava Ilyayev—equally vibrant, expressive, and memorable. They share the ability to instantly capture the eye and linger in the memory.
Svetlana Ashkenazi, an artist who works in the figurative abstraction genre, deserves special attention. Her series "The Courage to Exist" sounds like a manifesto for the right to be oneself.
The exhibition was striking in its diversity: from panels made of wine corks to miniature paintings on camel bones, from textile compositions to glass with gold leaf. There were also cutting-edge experiments. Of course, participating in such exhibitions requires significant investment.
Interestingly, traditional sunflowers and birches were exhibited by artists from China and other countries, further underscoring that art has long since become a global language.
The second floor houses a fashion exhibition with the provocative slogan "Fashion is Freedom." This further demonstrates that the boundaries of art are constantly expanding today.
The meeting with the delegation from Ukraine was particularly touching. Among the participants were refugees, who presented not paintings but abstract photography and images on metal, combining technology and emotion.
The art market itself is changing, too. While classical genres—landscape, still life, portrait—previously dominated, abstract art is increasingly being embraced as part of interior design.
You can view the work on the website energywithnatasha.com or type in the search engine: Energy with Natasha.
And perhaps it is in this context that Natalia Sosnova's work resonates particularly powerfully—as a reminder of the light that a person is capable of creating even during the most difficult periods of their lives.
Refugees from Ukraine and all those seeking support were, without exaggeration, fortunate to meet Natalia Travilina, the head of the TraNa Relief Association.
In addition to free online classes and consultations, the organization invites its clients to exhibitions and concerts, recognizing that art can be a true therapeutic tool in times of stress. At Natalia Travilina's invitation, I attended the annual international exhibition ArtExpo New York, which brought together artists and audiences from over 170 countries, for which I am very grateful.
Marina Lagunova