THIS ART IS A HAMMER THAT SHAPES REALITY

Series of 23 works, mixed media, 20 x 16” each, 2023

In this series, Nadya Tolokonnikova evokes the Utopian ideals of the Russian avant-garde, fusing bold visual elements with thought-provoking narratives to challenge societal norms and envision a more equitable and harmonious future.

Needles and sewing machine parts take center stage as Tolokonnikova harnesses the skills she learned while enduring forced labor during the 2 years she served as a political prisoner in Russian labor camps.

“I incorporate needles and sewing machine parts - they represent my experiences of forced labor in the camp. During that time, I would have dreams of receiving new sets of needles and machine parts, only to wake up to the harsh reality of continuing to sew on old, unsafe equipment. I endured injuries and excruciating pain while sewing, including a traumatic incident where a needle penetrated my finger and caused profuse bleeding, yet I was compelled to persist without proper medical care. The use of red splashes in my artwork represents the blood that stained my work table at the factory. I incorporate teddy bears into my work, penetrating them with needles and presenting them as worn and dirty. The teddy bears encapsulate the innocence and vulnerability I once possessed, now marred and broken by the oppressive forces at play.”

- Nadya Tolokonnikova

“Teddy bears evoke humor and child-like naivete and hope—much needed in order to survive under oppression. Humor was another of the soul’s weapons in the fight for self-preservation. It is well known that humor can afford an aloofness and an ability to rise above any situation, even if only for a few seconds (Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning).”

- Nadya Tolokonnikova

Clockwise from left to right: This art is good enough for a museum, 2023, mixed media, 20 x 16”

This art is not good enough for a museum, 2023, mixed media, 20 x 16”

This art sends Putin to jail for life, 2023, mixed media, 20 x 16” This art puts you on Russia’s most wanted list, 2023, mixed media, 20 x 16”

“Through the alchemy of art, I transform pain and PTSD into resilience and hope. With each piece, I weave my experiences into a tapestry of healing. Art becomes the beacon that guides us out of the darkness, reminding us that even amidst the deepest wounds, there is the potential for transformation, strength, and a renewed sense of purpose.”

- Nadya Tolokonnikova

Nadya Tolokonnikova was diagnosed with PTSD and major depressive disorder in 2014 after she served two years in labor camps as a political prisoner. She has remained addicted to SSRI antidepressants ever since, struggling from a wide range of uncanny side effects like depersonalization, self-harm, and alienation, while not being able to stop taking the pills.

HAUNTED! depicts the crippling effects of mental illnesses and pharmaceuticals on everyday life, and the pharmaceutical industry’s failure to solve the problem. Can pills make us feel better about a broken world?