JULIA BELOVA - Not Me You

The Naiad Fountain

The main sculpture of the exhibition "Ich dich nicht" is the "Najadenbrunnen" made of porcelain, inspired by the fountain of the same name at Schönbrunn. This work was created in the spirit of the Baroque and shows the main conflict of this absolutist era, namely the conflict between the individual and the role imposed on him by society. In the Baroque era, each member of society was assigned a clearly defined role that was determined by birth. Following this role did not allow the individual any individuality, which was especially true for women.

In the sculpture "Najadenbrunnen" the fullness of life, femininity and sexuality, is juxtaposed with the material from which the sculpture is made, porcelain and synthetic hair. An image of life created from a dead, frozen material. The form itself is very much alive and close to nature, but since it is only a form, it takes on the function of a role. Each element of the sculpture is an example of a living being, but behind it there is no personality of its own.

The idea of the fountain is a triumph of life-giving water. In the work "Naiad Fountain" this idea becomes a form, that is, it plays only the role of a fountain, abandoning its original meaning and the hair has only the form of water. The sculpture is full of sexuality, but under the conditions of the rejection of the living body.

In her works, Julia Belova explores the relevance of the Baroque and relates this era to modernity. The artist searches for themes for today's Baroque, for example the theme of the rejection of an assigned role. 

Podcast with Julia Belova

Julia Belova studied in St. Peterburg, did an Erasmus year in Stockholm and has been studying in Vienna at the Academy of Fine Arts for four years.

Baroque is the central theme of her work and she sees our present as a kind of baroque as well. Food, inspired by the American burger, plays a role in her art up to swans in sauce. What does she want to achieve with her art and where does she want to exhibit it, from the Hermitage in St. Peterburg to the Venice Biennale. What role does the medium Instagram play for a young artist, is it inspiration or yet distraction.

In the end, it is also about not forgetting about life. A poetic and profound conversation at the same time. 

About Julia Belova

In her artistic practice, Julia Belova explores the relevance of the Baroque and connects this period with the present. The artist experiments with religious Baroque aesthetics and creates a collage of its elements, fetishizing their physicality and sexuality. In her sculptures, Belova works with physicality in the context of the global concept of intimacy that religion demonstrates.

Using plastic porcelain as the main material for her sculptures, the artist explores the main conflict of the Baroque period - the conflict between social role and individuality: the pulsating life of her body objects consists of lifeless porcelain, which is already a role. Belova pays particular attention to the female role by using the female sculptural language.

The artist regards sculpture as a fixed moment of a subjective fragment of reality that expands its visual perception through tactility. 

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Julia Belova, Naiad Sculpture, 2021

All photos: Luisa Hübner

Gallery Rudolf Leeb
Bauernmarkt 11-13
1010 Vienna