Annya Sand: The Essence of Colour

"I am inspired by the past and present, by my life experiences and views, which I then translate into my paintings. My art is primarily a personal meditation, which emerges through my creative process and asks the viewer to wonder about one's life and experiences. I am interested in different aspects of life in different cultures, and this is where I draw my inspiration from.

My earlier works were influenced by my Central Asian heritage, the vast steppes of my native land and its diverse cultural legacy. I aim to bring the elements of the Asian art into the Western world, highlighting the links between these two worlds of art.

I consider myself an abstract artist. I love colour, the subtle and harmonious mixture and its impact on a composition. The use of colours is at the very heart of my works. In my earlier works I use earthy tones, ochre, shades of beige and grey, then top them up with touches of bright colours. Other pieces, by contrast, are made on a darker background, over which the light colours are added. Through my abstract works I invite the viewer into my own private world of colours and mysterious atmosphere, opening it to the interpretation.

I choose oil as a medium to express myself, though my latest works are in acrylic, which is a new medium for me. My latest collection explores my perception of the human mind. I look into its complexity and they ways it affects the world and people's experiences of it. I demonstrate my views both graphically or symbolically. My latest works have my signature brushstrokes, but they are quite different from my previous paintings in terms of colours. I use a lot of white and pastel colours, giving the works a fresh, light feeling."