Alexandra Shpiro

My painting regarding my depression, manifested through hypersomnia, portrays an unconscious descent into hibernation as a means to escape reality. This depression is not always black or gray; it is snowy and drowsy, filled with procrastination. Even with strong motivation and an engaging life, hypersomnia has the power to dismantle everything in its path. To visualize this theme, I chose an archival photo of a Japanese girl sleeping beneath a stream of honey, symbolizing both the sweetness and the stickiness of her predicament. Scattered belongings create a disorder that serves as an initial sign of depressive disorder. Here, there is a reference to the famous installation "My Bed" by the English artist Tracey Emin, yet devoid of any sexual undertones; instead, it features feminine attributes: a black face mask, a book, soda, and cotton candy from which clouds inspired by my son's sketches emerge. The work intertwines childhood moments: a letter from my daughter to Santa Claus and a lost tooth awaiting the tooth fairy. Above the girl looms a mountain of dirty dishes, rendered in an expressive style, while snow falls steadily, like the lost time during a daytime slumber. My depression is a dream catcher, robbing me of life.

Alexandra is inspired by the aesthetics of photographs, through which she reflects personal or collective memory, national identity or inner feelings, and the value of space.

Alexandra studied at the Murmansk Arctic University where she practiced classical painting. Her studies at Lapland University in Finland introduced me to contemporary art. She also has experience in such art practices as Performance, Environment Art, FireSnow Sculptures, and Lantern Design. She is currently living in Singapore

Hypersomnia

Acrylic & oil on canvas

55 x 43 x 2 inches

Intagram: @AlexShpiro