Katya Belyavskaya

Katya Belyavskaya

Katya Belyavskaya is an artist, author, illustrator of books for children and adults, theater designer, and organizer of charitable events. Her drawings can be found on plates in restaurants, on handkerchiefs, and even in Moscow metro trains. 

Belyavskaya’s graphic art consistently works on many levels, both visually and conceptually. Elements which seem at first glance to be unrelated acquire a meaning together when thoughtfully examined. For example, viewers might be surprised to see pyramidal milk cartons built into gothic castles and Russian «Krasny Oktyabr» and «Rot Front» candies on a chessboard. But upon reflection they will see in all these attributes of the Soviet past reminders of the great school of chess that originated in the Soviet Union. 

Her artistic language is distinguished by bright colors, bold and occasionally extravagant themes, and theatricality. But despite this she is not just an artist for children. Behind the bright outer wrapper of her art projects, Katya hides mythological, literary, and historical context. Oscar Wilde, Mozart, and even King Solomon have all made appearances in her drawings at various times. 

She sometimes touches on serious philosophical questions in her art as well. Her series on the forest – comprised of images of beautiful women, animals, and mythological creatures – seems to be a meditation on the principles of relationships between men and women, the role of the weak one and the strong one, and the idea that for the weak nature becomes a source of strength.

Belyavskaya graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design in London. She was a finalist for the Kandinsky Prize in the category of Young Artist, and also participated in a special project at Sotheby’s auction house. 

Katya Belyavskaya was born in 1981. She lives and works in Moscow.