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Graphics
Birds
Diana Slipetskaya | Russia
"The values of my people are the values of my homeland. I was born and raised at the source of the great Amur River, and with all my soul, I absorbed the energy of its winds. On its banks have long lived people who preserve the legends of my land: the eight indigenous ethnic groups of the Khabarovsk Territory. Carefully gathering material from local artisans and members of national ensembles, I strive to capture on paper a world that has always lived within me — despite the fact that I am now studying on the other side of the country".
Diana Slipetskaya
This work reveals the culture of the Indigenous peoples of the Amur region through the universal language of movement and rhythm. The soaring seagull-girls, whose silhouettes are woven from pencil lines and watercolor washes, become a bridge between the earthly and the spiritual—an archetypal image that resonates in any culture where birds are seen as messengers between worlds. The compositional contrast—fragile white silhouettes against the powerful river flow—echoes the eternal balance of humanity and nature.

Ornaments and patterns from Nanai and Ulch costumes transform into a visual musical score, where each line is a note of an ancient dance that remains relevant today.

The multilayered watercolor technique creates the effect of the river’s living breath—at times calm, at times turbulent. This is not just an image, but a sensory experience that allows you to hear the splash of waves and the cries of birds, to feel the connection of times when a contemporary artist engages in dialogue with a centuries-old tradition.

The work reminds us that in the era of globalization, it is precisely these local cultural codes, passed down through generations, that become an invaluable contribution to the shared human heritage. Like a river absorbing streams, world culture is enriched by these unique voices.
Watercolor and pencil on paper
2025