Illustration by Alisa Yoffe
Images of Russia these days fill me with respect; despite the minus temperatures in Moscow, the supporters of Putin opponent Alexei Navalny show up in droves. I see this kind of dedication, earnestness and commitment in Alisa Yoffe only two minutes into our Zoom call. The young Russian artist and activist has shaved her head in solidarity with Russian prisoners. And not just any prisoners. Her gesture concerns the incarceration of Russian lawyer-turned-activist Navalny, following his return in January to Moscow from Berlin, where he had been treated for poisoning after a suspected assassination – a “homecoming” that happened only days before our conversation
Ph. Roman Schell
Regarding the recent protests in Russia for Navalny, how did you react?
I painted the very next day after the protest because it was important for me to see what is going to happen, how people will react. There was another work when Navalny was arrested, it was painted right after the arrest. I have been following the political agenda.
Is the political always personal for you or is the political always personal for any Russian soul? What is the connection there?
You could say it is part of the Russian way of life because we have very big differences between rich and poor. It is very obvious. You can not ignore it. There are many people whose rights aren’t protected. They express what it is they want. The Russian way of life means you are interested in politics. I started working on political topics in 2013. It still excites me because I moved to Russia from Uzbekistan in 2000. I had to go through quite a process. I am from a poor family, so the social agenda is important to me. It affects me
Illustration by Alisa Yoffe
The ball is still there. The player hasn’t hit it yet but is already shouting “Fore!”
What do you dream of for yourself, and for your country?
I’m not dreaming about anything. My main task is to be a reflection of what is going on around me. Of course, I know politics is not perfect, life isn’t perfect, but as long as it offers topics for my work, I’d like to reflect them as accurately as possible. It’s not about dreaming. It’s about working. I have an exhibition happen-ing in my absence at the Pori ArtMuseum in Finland until the end of February, right now. It is a wall – dig-ital – print 25 metres long and four metres high. I painted it on the computer and sent it there, where it was printed. The ball is still there. The player hasn’t hit it yet but is already shouting “Fore!” – a term used by golf players to warn people that a ball is accidentally coming their way, in case you, like I, are a golf ignoramus. This is to symbolise instability in our world. You must expect anything from anywhere and you should be cautious everywhere, too.