Interview: Naneki Ofensky
Luca Curci talks with Naneki Ofensky during VENICE INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR – 20TH EDITION at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

Born in 1988 in Volgograd (USSR) and raised in Togliatti, an industrial city on the river Volga, Naneki spent 10 years as a child attending L. Kostochka’s Art Studio. While simultaneously learning the fundamentals of technique, Naneki was taught to focus on fantasy and abstract feelings, and during these years of study at the studio, she constantly participated in exhibitions, periodically winning awards, including first and grand prize. After graduating from school, she passed the challenging exams required for both the Design Faculty at the University of Togliatti and the Medical University of Samara. Her parents insisted on the medical path, so she moved to Samara to study medicine. With art still in her mind, Naneki enrolled in the evening department of Samara State Art College, named after KS Petrov-Vodkin and also graduated with a diploma thesis in mosaics.

Luca Curci – How did you get to your current artistic practice?
Naneki Ofensky – It’s been a long and winding journey to where I am now. From an early age, I was taught to perceive and think as an artist, and I’m incredibly grateful to my first and most influential teacher, Ludmila Kostochka. She focuses on nurturing abstract thinking in young children. I attended her art studio for 10 years during my school time. After graduating, I enrolled in the design department at a local university, but my curiosity led me to a different path. I ended up studying at a medical university and eventually became a doctor. However, I always felt somewhat out of place among my colleagues in medicine. Periodically, I take breaks from hospital work to reconnect with myself, as art has always been a calling for me. Now, having moved to Munich, I’m entering a new chapter as a full-time painter.

LC – What are your thoughts while you paint? Do you have any habits or rituals while you work?
NO – First and foremost, I try to clear my mind and listen to my emotions, what lies beneath the noise of daily life. My thoughts aren’t fully formed; instead, they manifest through colors, textures, shapes, and contrasts without any specific direction. It’s a deeply intuitive process. I’m keeping my mind open, allowing all kinds of associations to arise and flow. It helps me enter my own creative atmosphere.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
NO – Naturally, my style has evolved over time. About a decade ago, I was deeply inspired by surrealism, creating works rooted in dreamscapes. More recently, I’ve gravitated toward a more abstract approach, seeking a minimum of certainty and maximum of space. Now, I feel a tendency to reintroduce realistic details into my work, bit by bit.

LC – Which art themes do you pursue? What is your preferred subject, if there is any?
NO – Paradox. Paradox is something that has always fascinated me. I enjoy playing with meanings and definitions. Something definite in itself creates challenges, sets boundaries and shapes the field. I like to explore its possibilities.

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
NO – Most often, subjects reveal themselves after internal events are expressed. In the process of creating the artwork, spontaneous plays with meanings occur naturally – this is something I particularly enjoy. Setting tasks, developing plots and details certainly leads to a more structured work, but that’s another world I might explore one day.

LC – In which way is the artwork presented in our exhibition connected with the exhibition’s theme?
NO – The exhibition’s theme was about exploring various aspects of our identity. The works I’ve presented reflect different emotional states and functionalities – naive expectations, quiet contemplation, vivid memories, and even moments of risky manoeuvres. These pieces offer a glimpse into the reflections of everyday experiences within today’s society.

LC – Can you explain something about the artworks you have in our exhibition?
NO – As an artist, my goal is to offer viewers abstract images that evoke personal associations and resonate with their own experiences. If the textures, shapes, and dynamics in my work spark an emotional connection or bring forth memories for the viewer, allowing them to revisit and touch those moments again, then I feel I’ve succeeded

LC – Would you suggest a collaboration with us? What do you think about our services?
NO – Everything was great! Despite the tight deadline, we made it happen. I would definitely recommend collaborating with you!

LC – What are your suggestions about our services? Is there something more we can provide to artists?
NO – The team does a fantastic job supporting the artists. The social media presence is particularly helpful, and I’m thankful for that. Keep up the great work!