Interview: Nataliia Muzychenko
Luca Curci talks with Nataliia Muzychenko during ANIMA MUNDI – RITUALS 2026, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello in Venice.

Works by Nataliia Muzychenko combine the elegance of Art Nouveau with the refined aesthetics of Japanese prints. Each composition is entirely hand-drawn and built through an extraordinary density of ornamental details, where patterns, fabrics and flowing forms merge into a single harmonious image. Inspired by Eastern philosophy and decorative traditions, the artist creates dreamlike female figures that seem to exist between reality and myth. Her works invite the viewer to slow down and discover beauty hidden in the smallest elements. Muzychenko’s art occupies a unique niche in contemporary graphic art: intricate, meditative and deeply decorative, where every line reveals the artist’s belief that true beauty lives in the details.

Luca Curci – What is art for you? 
Nataliia Muzychenko – Art for me is what still keeps today’s world from self-destruction, but unfortunately, it is not good at it, as we see in the example of the war in Ukraine and the Middle East.

LC – What is the trigger that leads you to paint? 
NM – What is the trigger? Perhaps nothing, most likely my desire to draw is the most interesting and exciting activity that I have in my life.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
NM – I find inspiration in the beautiful art of the East. In the art of modernity, in an unusual photo frame, in a beautiful movie, in a scene, in nature, and at any time of the year. I am a very good visualizer, this also needs to be learned. I have gained experience, I contemplate and see what others do not see.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
NM – I can’t say or claim that my style has changed categorically. It seems to me that my human and artistic nature was originally focused on graphics, and my old (past) works also look quite professional, although of course now my class as a graphic artist has grown significantly, a clearer idea has appeared and graphics have become more complex.

LC – How do you feel when you see your work completed?
NM – When I see my completed work, the next one immediately matures in me, but in general, I think that I am a great fellow (not kidding) ;-)

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
NM – I choose my subjects thoughtfully and very thoughtfully. In search of spiritual harmony, I often turn to the grace and beauty of ancient Japanese prints. I am also inspired by the paintings of the early Middle Ages with their deliberate decorativeness. For example, a trip to the Alte Pinakothek in Munich often gives me momentum and ideas. I’ve been there many times, and I can spend hours looking at my beloved Albrecht Dürer. I see my task in rethinking and forming the heritage. In general, for me, harmony is a tangible value, and I am constantly looking for it.

LC – Can you explain something about the artworks you have in our exhibition?
NM – This series of my works explores the possibility of transformation and a woman’s willingness to defend herself and accept her dual nature. This is evidenced by the large number of weapons in each work. The inspiration for this series was a very popular ancient Japanese epic (scary tales). The series is also inspired by my traumatic experience during the war in Ukraine, which I experienced while in my hometown of Dnipro.

LC – Your last artistic production attracted us, has the artwork presented been created for the exhibition or as a part of preexisting works?
NM – The works presented at the exhibition have been finally formed over the past three years, although they are a logical continuation of the works created throughout life, based on the impression of classical Japanese engraving.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
NM – Yes, first of all, I was very pleased to learn that there is such a company in Italy that helps artists in their hard work, albeit for money, which, by the way, is not so large and quite acceptable amounts, but each work must be paid, this is how the world works, and when my friend and part-time representative Leonid Zlobinsky told me about your company, then there was no doubt that we should try!

LC – What do you think about the ITSLIQUID Platform?
NM – I think that ITSLIQUID is a great platform to make a name for yourself in Italy, especially in a city like Venice. For me, Venice was some kind of pipe dream, and then my paintings were in Venice, and that’s only thanks to ITSLIQUID!