Oil on canvas.
100 x 100 cm
The painting is one of the works from the series "The Mask and the Mirror" inspired by the world of the circus, but not as we usually know it. Here, the circus becomes a metaphor: for the world we live in, for the chaos and wonder of modern life, and for the shifting landscape of my own inner world. Each painting is a symbolic and visual story about dreams, those we've lost, those we've found, and those we still dare to chase. It's about remembering the inner child, the one who believed in magic and moved through the world with curiosity and openness. In these works, I try not only to keep that spirit alive, but to give it a stage.
The series reflects on the roles we all play, the masks we wear, and the bare truth of who we really are underneath.
BRAVO, DARLING
OLGA BAKHTINA
Representing a distinctive voice in contemporary Australian art, Olga Bakhtina is a Brisbane-based artist known fo her evocative oil and charcoal compositions that weave together classical inspiration and modern storytelling. Her work is marked by deep historical consciousness, delicate symbolism, and an unmistakable emotional resonance.
Born in Russia and artistically shaped across three continents, Olga's creative journey began over 15 years ago at an art school in the Sultanate of Oman, where she lived with her family for four years. Upon returning to Australia, she studied under Archibald Prize winner David Paulson, further refining her technique and expression. In 2024, Olga completed her academic journey with a degree in Art History from the University of Queensland, deepening her engagement with Early Renaissance art, which remains a profound source of serenity and inspiration in her practice.
Since her first solo exhibition in Oman in 2012, Olga has exhibited regularly in Australia.