♡ Seeing Beyond the Surface

The Quiet Power of Stillness in Art.

Stillness isn’t empty — it’s alive with presence. It’s where we hear what the world usually drowns out.
Where truth rises to meet us — our own, and sometimes someone else’s.
For me, stillness is where the deepest connection to art begins.

Stillness opens us to the hidden language of art — the stories that live beneath the surface.
It allows us to feel more than we see, inviting body and spirit to sense what the mind can’t always explain.

I often lose myself (for hours) in galleries and museums. Art is oxygen — something I need simply to keep breathing. One of my favourite places to wander in Sydney is the Art Gallery of New South Wales. It was the first gallery I visited after moving to Australia.

I still remember entering the Aboriginal art collection and being greeted by a yellow-hued painting — radiant, alive, almost smiling at me. I smiled back instinctively. There was such joy in it. I could feel the artist’s presence in every flick of the brush, as if sunshine had been poured onto canvas. It felt like meeting someone through light and colour.

Further in, a series of solemn, grounding sculptures stopped me in my tracks. They held so much history, pain, and spirit that I quietly wept. I felt the presence of ancestors, and of the land itself, speaking through the work. This wasn’t performance. This was raw honesty. Sacred stillness.

That’s what art can do. It bypasses the intellect and speaks directly to the soul.

Stillness During Chaos

These reflections feel even more urgent now.
We are living in deeply unsettled times — where the world roars with war, injustice, illness, division, and noise.

And when so many people, including your loved ones, are affected by grief, cancer, conflict, or systems that fail, the chaos isn’t just “out there.” It enters the body. It inhabits your day. It spills into your studio. On those days, stillness becomes the only way to be. Stillness becomes my medicine. My refuge. My prayer.

I paint not to escape the pain, but to hold it — to honour it — and gently transform it. In stillness, I remember who I am.

The most powerful things in life do not shout — they whisper.

There are days that I just let the brush move and colours call my name. I highly recommend that everyone try to create without any expectations. That’s how healing begins — not in answers, but in presence.

Stillness as a Spiritual Experience

Some of the most profound artists have understood this.

Agnes Martin painted in silence, with subtle grids and soft washes, like they were disappearing. Her work doesn’t speak loudly — it invites stillness. Standing before one of her canvases feels like sitting in a chapel: quiet, spacious, and held.

Mark Rothko’s vast colour fields draw us inward, into emotions we cannot name. I’ve seen people cry in front of his work without knowing why. It happened to me and many of my clients when seeing my work. That’s what happens when energy becomes visible.

Hilma af Klint — long ignored by the mainstream — painted from visions, intuition, and a deep spiritual place. Her works weren’t made to impress. They were offerings. I’m fascinated by her work, which I would describe in my own words as “spiritual geometry”.

And here in Australia, Emily Kame Kngwarreye shows us that stillness doesn’t mean lack of movement. Her work pulses with ancestral memory and connection to Country. Her paintings are maps of Dreaming — alive with presence. I especially adore her Ntange Dreaming, where I can almost see images moving within the surface.

Emily’s work is currently being honoured in a major exhibition at Tate Modern in London — Emily Kam Kngwarray.

Dear artists, friends, and colleagues in London, please take the opportunity to experience her work. Let it move you. Let it teach you.

A Painting from My Practice — Tranquillity

One of my latest artworks that speaks deeply of stillness is Tranquillity, from the Liberty collection.

It was created in a time when stillness was not only healing, but it was a necessary act to pause. I remember gently swinging my brush from side to side across the canvas, layering soft blends of light and colour. The movement was meditative, and the white light peeking through felt like a sign of home — of return, of rejuvenation.

Several admirers have been drawn to this piece. Some have described seeing a woman reclining on a swing, as if suspended in a heavenly garden — a place of pure rest. I can see it too. Every time I look at Tranquillity, it brings me calm. It reminds me of what it feels like to be held, gently and without demand.

This oil painting with a poem is available for sale — and ready to find its way to a lucky collector.

In My Gallery — A Curated Studio Space

I felt that same quiet reverence when standing before Alyson Hayes’ Understory ceramic light sculptures in my gallery. Their gentle glow stopped me mid-step.

It was as though nature had found a way to sing through light — not loudly, but to be remembered.

That’s what stillness in art offers: remembrance.

Of who we are.

Of where we come from.

Of what truly matters.

People often say I have a “good eye” for art. But I think it’s less about the eye — and more about sensitivity.

Presence.

Energy.

As a curator and art collector, I don’t select work based on status or fashion. I don’t chase names. I follow the pulse.

I choose art that breathes, aches, uplifts.

Art that isn’t trying to fit in — but trying to speak truth.

Be Like Water

So next time you find yourself standing before a painting, a sculpture, a photograph — pause.

Let the noise fade. Let your body speak.

Ask not, “What does this mean?” but rather, “How does this feel?”

Stillness is not absence; it is a presence — deep, emotional, and alive.

And in times like these, perhaps the greatest wisdom — and the greatest art — asks us gently to:

Be like water that flows softly and try to adapt with grace.

Hold what you must and release what you cannot carry.

Shape your world not with force, but with quiet strength over time.

In stillness, I paint, and I write.

I do not create to escape the pain, the past, or the unknown.

I create to hold it — to sit with it — to honour its presence.

And in that tender, intimate space… something shifts.

The weight becomes colour.

The ache finds form.

What once hurt transforms into something that may one day heal — for me, and perhaps for someone else.

Each painting, each poem, is a meditation.

A slow, reverent exhale.

A way of letting sorrow speak — without drowning in it.

A way of letting joy arrive — even if only as a flicker of light across the canvas.

In stillness, I remember who I am.

Not a performer or a producer.

Just a feeling, breathing being — human before anything else.

And in that remembering, I’ve learned something essential:

The most powerful things in life do not shout.

They whisper.

They hum through colour.

They murmur through texture.

They glow quietly, like a lantern in the dark.

Wellness Whispers — my most personal collection yet — will be released in the coming months.

Born from moments of deep emotion, of witnessing illness, grief, a family affected by a war, grace, and healing, of praying through paint…

I hope these works offer calm. Compassion. Softness. Strength. Stillness.

May they become gentle companions for those walking hard roads.

May they remind you — even in your most silent moments —

You are not alone or broken.

You are a light that is already aglow.

Stay connected — sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about new arrivals, upcoming exhibitions, art fairs, and our intimate art soirées.

With love and colour,

Mira Corbova

Artist | Curator | Creator of ‘Art & Emotion’

Mira Corbova Art Gallery
www.miracorbova.com

♡ Art & Emotion: Imagine the ‘Unimaginable’.

Creativity became my quiet rebellion

There were times, as a little girl, when I truly believed anything was possible — that maybe we were all just dreaming this life. Even during the most difficult moments, I found strength in one thing: imagination. I would imagine the unimaginable — painting colours into grey spaces, turning silence into stories, my emotions and experiences into paintings. Sometimes I created a theatrical world, a little play for my sister where I played every role: actor, director, and set designer, all in one.

Growing up under the restrictions of the Communist era and with an emotionally distant, often critical father, creativity became my quiet rebellion — a place where I could be me. The rules outside didn’t apply in my inner world. I created my own universe — one where magic lived in the mundane.

But alongside that magic, there were also voices.

One was my father’s, and his words still echo from time to time:

“You are nobody. You will not achieve anything.”

He wanted a son — but got a dreamy daughter instead. A daughter with her head in the clouds and stars in her eyes… and yet, tough as a cookie. Maybe I didn’t fit his expectations, but I grew into someone resilient, expressive, and fiercely imaginative. I built a life across countries and oceans — with art, poetry, and purpose — and eventually opened a gallery to share that vision with others.

Childhoods

Recently, I was reminded just how powerful our inner stories can be. During a heartfelt conversation with one of our represented artists, Janet Besancon, she spoke about her painting “Childhoods” — a piece rich with layered meaning and memory. Her story unlocked something deep within me.

“Childhoods painting speaks of the inner tension every immigrant can feel — between the love for their homeland and the joy of living in a beautiful, peaceful country like Australia. I grew up in the Champagne region, and this landscape evokes those memories. I’ve blended French and Australian pigments (from Gumbaynggirr country), as I now live and raise my children here. Our childhoods are different, yet intertwined. I also used gold pigments, because somehow, even as a child watching the sunset, I already knew — without really knowing — that one day, I would follow the sun to where it would lead me.”

– Janet Besancon

There’s a story in every artwork — some artists bravely share them, while others hold them quietly until the time is right.

Janet’s painting brought me back to a memory I had almost forgotten.

I must’ve been around seven. My mum had just bought a globe. I was fascinated by it — spinning it gently, tracing invisible journeys with my finger. One day, I  intuitively pointed to a faraway land I had never seen or known much about.

“Hmm… I’d love to see this place,” I whispered.

It was Australia.

Then I saw New Zealand — to me, it looked like the end of the world. “Wow… this green land! Is it really all green?” I thought.

And just as the dream was beginning to take shape, I heard the voice of doubt — my mum’s in my head, and my sister smirking beside me:

“It’s too hard and too far to go to. You’ll never manage.”

That moment of sadness never fully left me. I remember silently wishing for a world with no borders — where people could go wherever their hearts took them. I found it painfully unfair that we were expected to stay in one place for life. But I didn’t stay.

At 16, I began to explore.

By 20, I moved to England.

Then I lived in New Zealand for a decade.

And today?

I live in that once-distant dot on the globe — Australia.

I made the unimaginable real.

“Everything you can imagine is real.” – Pablo Picasso

Art has taught me to embrace life with a “Yes, and…” mindset — to build on every moment, every turn, every opportunity. To be fluid and fearless.

To imagine the unimaginable is an act of courage. Of hope. Of trust.

As I often say:

Be like water — let it flow. Let your inner self speak. Let beauty find you in whatever form it appears.

Even in dusty corners. Even in hard times. Beauty finds a way — just as we do.

This month, I’ve found myself reflecting on the people we meet on this artistic path. Like Janet, whose deeply soulful work and stories I’m so honoured to share through my gallery. We connected instantly — proof that when we live with intention and openness, we truly attract like-minded souls.

These connections shape our lives, just as our creative expressions shape our healing.

So, as we settle into this cooler season, let art be your warmth. Let it inspire you. Let it remind you of your dreams — even the ones you buried long ago.

✧ Winter Exhibition: Hues & Verses

On now at Mira Corbova Art Gallery – until 31st July

A poetic, multi-sensory exhibition exploring healing, renewal, and joy through colour, nature and words.

✧ Coming Soon: Awakenings – Opening September

An uplifting spring collection featuring new works by Janet Besancon and fellow ‘Art & Emotion’ artists.

 Stay connected — sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about new arrivals, upcoming exhibitions, art fairs, and our intimate art soirées.

With imagination and heart,

Mira Corbova

Founder | Artist | Curator – Mira Corbova Art Gallery

www.miracorbova.com

♡ Art & Emotion: Where the Heart Meets the Canvas.

Be like water - let it flow.
Art is energy in motion.

In a world that moves too quickly, art permits us to pause — to feel, reflect, and remember who we truly are.

At Mira Corbova Art, I’ve always believed that meaningful art doesn’t begin with trends or techniques — it begins with emotion. It begins with vulnerability. It begins with a desire to connect.

This belief is at the heart of Art & Emotion, a curatorial initiative I created to honour the healing, transformative power of visual storytelling. What started as a personal expression — my abstract paintings infused with poetry — has become something more: a space for collaboration, for feeling deeply, and for celebrating artists who create from the soul.

Art & Emotion: More Than a Collective

Art & Emotion is both a creative movement and a collaborative exhibition platform. Through this initiative, I curate intimate exhibitions in our gallery and on select art fairs that bring together my own expressive works with those of talented, guest artists — painters, sculptors, and ceramicists whose practice is deeply rooted in emotion and intuition.

Together, we explore themes such as:

• Solitude and connection

• Joy and grief

• Inner freedom and resilience

• Nature - Nurture

• Love in its rawest, most spiritual forms

Each exhibition is designed as an emotional journey — blending abstract visual language with poetic wordplay, organic textures and light, symbolic movement, and touches of surrealism or whimsy. It’s not just about what you see. It’s about what you feel.

In this space, art becomes a mirror for the soul. The gallery becomes a sanctuary for stillness, healing, and transformation.

What’s on in June: Hues & Verses - Group Exhibition,

Our next exhibition, Hues & Verses, opens this winter — a warmer show for the cooler season + a celebration of Matariki, New Zealand’s New Year. In Māori culture, Matariki is the Pleiades star cluster and a celebration of its first rising in late June or early July. The rising marks the beginning of the new year in the Māori lunar calendar. The collection will feature emotionally charged abstract paintings, poetic ceramic pieces, and soulful sculptural works, all tied together through a shared language of colour and feeling.

Hues & Verses invites you to explore the unspoken verses hidden within every hue — a delicate dialogue between silence and sensation, movement and stillness.

Visit our current exhibition page to further details.

Welcoming New Artists This Winter

We’re also thrilled to welcome new artists to the gallery this winter, each bringing their unique voice to the Art & Emotion narrative. Their works will feature in upcoming exhibitions, adding fresh layers of depth, contrast, and connection to our curatorial story. I can’t wait to introduce you to them soon.

Join Us @ Our Next Art Soirée: 22 June

We’re very excited to invite our beloved art collectors and new visitors to a series of upcoming Art Soirées — intimate evenings of art, poetry, and connection with arty chats over a glass of bubbly, hosted within the gallery space. The next soirée is planned for the end of June, celebrating Hues & Verses and the spirit of Matariki with vibrant artworks, storytelling, and shared creative energy.

These gatherings are designed to nourish the senses and the soul — a chance to experience art not just on the walls, but in the air, the conversation, and the moment itself.

What’s Next for Art & Emotion?

Looking ahead, we’re also preparing submissions to present Art & Emotion at upcoming art fairs — sharing curated, emotionally driven collections with wider audiences. While nothing is confirmed yet, the vision is clear: to bring this heart-led work to new spaces, new cities, and new souls who are ready to feel.

Let’s Stay Connected

If you believe in art that heals, moves, and transforms — I invite you to be part of this journey.

Subscribe to our gallery’s newsletter for updates on events & exhibitions, behind-the-scenes moments, featured artists, and reflections on the art of feeling deeply.

Because Art & Emotion isn’t just an initiative — it’s a way of life.

With love and colour,

Mira Corbova
Artist | Poet | Curator | Creator of ‘ Art & Emotion’
@miracorbovaart
@mira_corbova_art__gallery

The Healing Power of Colour: A Journey Through Art at The Other Art Fair Sydney, 8 - 11 May. ♡

This May, I’m thrilled to return to exhibiting at art fairs—this time in my adopted hometown of Sydney. :o)

The Other Art Fair, held at the White Bay Cruise Terminal, will feature around 130 independent artists, making it a truly special event. Come and meet me! At the fair, I’ll be showcasing my latest artworks and poems, exploring the profound emotional resonance of colour. As an abstract artist deeply attuned to the therapeutic qualities of colour, I invite you to discover how hues can evoke, soothe, and transform our inner landscapes.

Introducing Symphony of Life

I’m especially excited to unveil my newest piece, Symphony of Life, completed just in time for the fair. This artwork marks the beginning of my new collection, Wellness Whispers, and I’m delighted to share at least one piece with you, along with selections from my latest compilations. This vibrant work embodies the culmination of my recent explorations into colour’s capacity to heal and inspire. Accompanying this piece is a poem from my upcoming collection, Wellness Whispers, offering a lyrical reflection on the themes woven into the artwork.

The Wellness Whispers collection is an intimate dialogue between colour, emotion, and transformation. Each painting reflects life’s fluid journey—a gentle whisper to the soul, guiding it toward healing, renewal, and inner balance. The essence of life evokes moments of joy, harmony, and restoration. 

A Collection Rooted in Liberty

While I had hoped to present three new works from the newest collection along with the Liberty collection works, the creative process had its timeline. Recognising that some pieces needed more time to mature, I decided to focus on those ready to be shared. I’m pleased to present a selection from my latest collections, each piece resonates with the themes of freedom and emotional expression that continue to guide my work.

The Emotional Resonance of Colour

Colour is more than a visual experience; it’s a language of the soul. For me, colour is my mother tongue. From an early age, I have been captivated by its ability to convey emotion and meaning. My home reflects this passion—you won’t find much grey or black, as I gravitate towards hues that uplift and inspire.

In art therapy, specific colours are known to influence our emotional states. Warm tones like red and orange can energise and uplift, while cool tones like blue and green offer calm and solace. My work seeks to harness these qualities, creating spaces for reflection and healing.

Among the spectrum, gold and white hold a special place in my palette, such as iridescent gold - my signature colour. To me, these two hues represent light, positivity, and spiritual connection. Gold symbolises understanding and luck, often associated with spiritual mastery and illumination. White embodies purity and peace, signifying a high level of consciousness and an important life purpose. Together, these hues remind me that there is always light at the end of the tunnel, guiding us towards hope and renewal.

Intuitive Art and the Fusion of Poetry

Intuitive art speaks when words have no form or shape. Yet, my poetry, born from the depths of creation or just before capturing an emotion, captures the essence of the work in lush hues—an eloquent extension of the visual, where language becomes another canvas of expression. Some of my paintings will be accompanied by my poetry at this art fair; there are a few I also share on my website. Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough to publish them all!

So, come and join me at the fair—I would love to meet you! I invite you to visit my booth at The Other Art Fair Sydney to experience these pieces firsthand. Let’s explore together how colour can serve as a conduit for emotional well-being and artistic connection.

If you missed out on my complimentary tickets earlier this month, you can still purchase tickets to the fair here.

With warmth,

Mira Corbova
Artist | Storyteller & Healing Arts Advocate
@miracorbovaart

Emerald City – A Piece of My Heart ♡

There are moments in life that define us—moments that test our strength, challenge our dreams, and ultimately shape our journey. One of those moments for me was the sale of Emerald City, the first artwork I ever sold in New Zealand after opening my gallery in Taupō.

An art collector visiting from Hamilton walked into my gallery and instantly connected with the piece. Her eyes lit up with the same spark of recognition I felt while painting it. It was love at first sight! Little did she know, her enthusiasm would become a turning point in my life as an artist.

A Painting Born from Transition

Emerald City wasn’t planned—it was created spontaneously, standing at my kitchen table, during the early days of my New Zealand journey. I was in a state of emotional turmoil—distressed, confused, and longing for London, my home for over a decade. Having moved from a vibrant, fast-paced city to the small, tranquil town of Taupō, I found myself grappling with a sense of isolation unlike anything I had ever experienced. Emerald City became a part of my ‘Healing through art’ Collection.

New Zealand’s breathtaking nature was undeniable, and I appreciated its beauty. Yet, I couldn’t ignore the deep disconnection I felt, missing the cultural vibrancy, the energy, and the endless possibilities of a big city. To cope, I would escape to Auckland whenever I could, craving the pulse of an urban environment, even if only for a short visit.

Only those who have experienced multiple immigrations truly understand this paradox—the push and pull between connection and disconnection, the longing for familiarity while embracing the unknown.

A Test of Resilience

At the time, I was navigating immense personal challenges. The move had come with its share of hardships—countless rejections, financial struggles, and the emotional weight of my ex-partner’s battle with cancer. My confidence was shaken.

That very morning, I had invited a well-known local artist to my gallery, hoping to share my passion and perhaps receive some encouragement. Instead, their words cut deep:

“What’s this?! Who would buy this monkey art?”

I was speechless. Humiliated. The sting of their dismissal stayed with me.

But just hours later, fate intervened. The couple from Hamilton walked in, captivated by Emerald City, and with genuine excitement, they made it their own. Their belief in my work—when I needed it the most—became a lifeline.

That sale wasn’t just about selling a painting. It was a moment of validation. It reminded me that art isn’t about labels, opinions, or even technique. It’s about connection.

Your Heart is Your Treasure

If you are the proud collector of Emerald City, know you own a piece of my soul. And you, in turn, became part of my healing journey. Thank you.

This experience also taught me a valuable lesson about the power of words. A little girl I once looked after handed me a drawing with a simple message:

“Your heart is your treasure.”

How sweet and profound. Children often understand what adults forget—listen to your heart, follow your passion, and never let negativity define you.

Healing Through Art

This is why I create. My original paintings, some accompanied by my poetry, are infused with this deep emotional journey, each one telling a story of resilience, transformation, and joy. Through my Wellness Art Workshops, I guide others to find their own creative expression and healing. At my Art Soirées, I bring people together to celebrate the beauty of art, connection and shared experiences.

Luckily, a positive mindset and a good attitude always find their way home. And now, after years of searching, I have found mine in beautiful Sydney—a place that offers the perfect balance between nature, culture, and opportunity. It feels like I have finally arrived where I was meant to be.

Art is more than painting on canvas. It’s a journey, an energy, a story that we all share. And I invite you to be part of it.

Visit miracorbovaart.com to view my latest art collection. Follow my gallery on social media: Instagram and Facebook to view our latest works. Sign up for our newsletter to hear more and receive special invites to our art events.

The world needs more healing, more kindness, and more art. And I will never stop creating it.

Mira Corbova
Artist | Curator | Storyteller

The Beauty of Artistic Connections: Welcoming Guest Artist Anna Filimonova to Sydney

Artistic Connection

Art has an incredible way of connecting people, not just through what we create but through the relationships that form around it. For me, curating is more than just selecting artworks—it’s about discovering artists whose visions align with my love for abstract, streak, and quirky pieces that stand out from the rest. I deeply admire artists who are bold, unique, and unafraid to challenge perceptions.

That’s why I’m so thrilled to introduce Anna Filimonova’s latest collection, Chromatic Concepts, at Mira Corbova Art Gallery. Having worked together for over seven years in New Zealand, our collaboration is built on mutual respect, loyalty, and a shared passion for art that captivates and inspires. Now, as I establish my private gallery in Sydney, it’s truly special to reunite and showcase her surreal, dreamlike cityscapes alongside my own abstract work.

Why the Artist-Curator Relationship Matters

Being both an artist and a curator, I understand the dedication it takes to build a career in the art world. Just as artists rely on galleries to believe in their work, promote their creations, and provide them with opportunities, galleries depend on artists to trust the process, communicate openly, and appreciate the hard work behind the scenes.

Words from my Guest Artist Anna Filimonova

AF: I have a special connection with Mira. She invited me to exhibit in her gallery in 2018 after I won an award, and that became my professional arrival. Her encouragement and advice have given me the confidence to take my art further. She has a gift for finding talented artists, and I am just so grateful and loyal to her for the support and guidance she has given me over the years.

MC: Thank you Anna!

This is exactly the kind of beautiful, pressure-free relationship that allows both artist and curator to flourish. We learn from each other every day, growing together in ways that elevate our work and deepen our appreciation for what we do. Anna’s appreciation for our journey together means the world to me. View Anna’s works online or in our MCA Gallery in Kellyville Ridge.

Chromatic Concepts: A City Reimagined

MC: Anna, your new collection is a breathtaking exploration of urban dreamscapes, blending the familiar with the fantastical. Inspired by the cityscapes of Sydney and Auckland, she transforms iconic landmarks—such as the Sydney Opera House—into surreal visions where light and colour take on a life of their own. Your ability to capture the essence of a city while reimagining it through her unique surrealist lens is what makes her work so special.

AF: For some time, I wondered if I could present an urban scene in keeping with my approach to landscapes. My landscapes have an otherworldly feeling to them, so the challenge was how to depict a city in a way that allows the observer to see the familiar in a new light. This led to the creation of Chromatic Concepts, where cities become creatures of light, blending reality with the fantastical.

MC: Your signature clean, sharp aesthetic remains at the heart of your work, yet each collection brings new energy and meaning. The careful balance of colour, composition, and imagination makes Chromatic Concepts a truly mesmerising experience!

Anna - your artistic direction has beautifully shifted over the years—like moods or experiences—but your work remains unmistakably Anna. Many clients are fascinated by the precision and signature clean, sharp look of your surreal and fantastical pieces. What inspires these changes from collection to collection?

AF: My vision as an artist is to provide new ways for people to see and experience what we already know. The idea of capturing a view as seen through a window emerged early. I found that using rooms, doors, and windows gave me a way to say something while also giving me the freedom to shift my focus from one idea to the next without losing my visual identity.

“Colour untamed” was the theme of my early Oscillation series, but then it was captured inside the windows and doors of the Opportunities and White Rooms series. Over time, my use of windows has allowed me maximum flexibility to experiment with ideas without losing my signature style.

MC: As an artist and avid art lover, I wonder what draws you to blend fantasy with urban reality in your work, and how has that vision evolved?

AF: For some years, I’ve been pondering how to present an urban scene in line with my approach to landscapes and composition. My landscapes, in particular, have an otherworldly feeling, so the challenge was depicting a city scene in a way that allows the observer to see the familiar in a new light. In 2024, I began exploring this approach literally, aiming to portray a city as a creature of light, which led to the creation of the Chromatic Concepts series.

MC: How did the cityscapes of Sydney and Auckland influence this new body of work?

AF: As my home, the Auckland cityscape was an obvious starting point, allowing me to explore how to zoom in and give buildings their own identity within the whole. The next step was depicting Sydney, where I have fond memories of a fantastic holiday with just my sister and me a few years ago.

MC: I’m always fascinated by lush colours, they make me happy. As you know, my art is very colourful. Colour is a vibrant element in your collections, Anna. How do you decide on your palette for each series, and does it reflect specific themes or emotions?

AF: In this series, I start with the sky, mixing various colours and then stretching them down into complementary shades. I then choose an image that has the right feel to lay the silhouette of the sky on. After that, the colour of the sky seems to seep into the painting, sparking complementary and contrasting colours. It’s a mystery even to me how it works.

MC: What do you hope viewers take away from Chromatic Concepts?

AF: Surreal art is often considered a mix of fact and fantasy. Here, the mix comprises the reality of a city and fantastical depictions of it in myriad contortions of colour. I aim to challenge the viewer and tell them a visual story that resonates emotionally—a vision of the real and unreal together.

MC: Are there particular techniques or creative rituals that help you achieve the meticulous precision your work is known for?

AF: Not really. This stems from the training I received in Ukraine, which at the time seemed ridiculously pedantic. Now, I greatly appreciate the skills they taught me.

MC: As an artist, I always have a few personal favourite artworks in my collection, but I can’t keep them all. When I see a client in love with my artwork, I’m deeply moved and ready to let it go! It happened recently here in Sydney with my Grace artwork accompanied by a poem; some friends couldn’t believe I sold it. My wonderful clients were so touched, and I knew Grace belonged to them! It brings me immense joy when our art connects so profoundly with its new owners. I’m very grateful for this connection and my client’s kind words and support. Do you have a personal favourite piece in this collection, and what makes it special to you?

AF: My favourite is always the last painting I’ve completed, as it encompasses everything I’ve learned up to that point. I’m particularly pleased with Inbetween Is and Isn’t because I feel the juxtaposition of the Opera House and city towers playing against each other works very well (and the title fits nicely). The two Shine and Witness works are more conventional but posed a significant challenge. It was difficult to paint the subtlety of a night scene, and also nerve-racking, as any mistakes on the searchlights would have ruined the paintings.

MC: What advice would you share with emerging artists striving to develop a distinct and recognisable style?

AF: Don’t listen to anyone’s advice! Just be true to your own vision.

MC: Indeed! Stay true to your essence- your colours, your vision, your voice. There’s only one YOU, and that’s your greatest strength. Be YOURSELF—always!

Celebrating Trust, Creativity, and Collaboration

As an artist myself, I am grateful for every gallery that has trusted in me, nurtured my work, and given my art a platform. I know firsthand the commitment, passion, and effort it takes to support artists and share their creations with the world. This understanding makes my curatorial work even more rewarding, as I strive to do the same for the incredible artists I collaborate with.

It’s a privilege to work with artists like Anna—those who not only create outstanding art but also value and respect the relationships that make exhibitions possible. When this mutual appreciation exists, the result is something truly special and lasting.

A heartfelt Thank you to everyone who joined our latest Art Soirée where we opened the Chromatic Concepts exhibition at Mira Corbova Art Gallery. It was an absolute pleasure to share this special evening with such a fantastic crowd, engaging conversations, and wonderful feedback about my art and my guest artist Anna’s work. We look forward to welcoming you again in the future gatherings, exhibitions and creative experiences!

All works are available to view online or by private appointment. Whether in person or online, our art promises to challenge perceptions, spark emotions and celebrate the boundless creativity of abstract and surrealism.

Visit miracorbovaart.com to view our latest art collection. Follow us on social media: Instagram and Facebook to view our latest works. Sign up for our newsletter to hear more and receive special invites to our art events.

Here’s to trust, creativity, and the power of connection through art!

Mira Corbova
Artist | Curator | Storyteller