dasha Buben
Controlled Anxiety
oil on unstretched canvas
2023

(Un)controlled Anxietyoil on unstretched canvas
2023



Paintings represent my reflection on the overwhelming feeling of anxiety. Keeping a diary and taking notes is often suggested as a solution for managing anxiety. While it can be effective at times, there are moments when panic sets in and the writing becomes illegible, making no sense. The scribbles transform into a visual reflection of the turbulent movements of atoms within the body. Anxiety intensifies, overflowing to the edges, and occasionally becomes so overwhelming that it cannot be contained. This served as the visual inspiration behind the creation of these works


STATEMENT
My recent work focuses on mental states and mental health. Inspiration comes from personal experiences, keen observations of reality, and extensive research. I use art as a healing practice, and through it, I capture the essence of overcoming trauma and navigating life with conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Within my artistic journey, color assumes a dual role—both as a coding system and a form of cure. Each hue symbolizes the diverse range of emotional states and mental landscapes. My palette becomes a language through which I communicate the narratives of pain, resilience, and transformation. The apparent simplicity of my art serves as a contrast to the complexity, confusion, and lack of clarity that I have to live with every day, being depressed.
In this journey of self-discovery and collective understanding, my work seeks to destigmatize and normalize discussions surrounding mental health.

aboutBorn in 1982 in Belarus, currently living and working in Berlin. In the past, Dasha had been using photography as her medium, focusing on feminist topics and activism. In recent years, with the help of abstract art, she creates links between feelings and science, focusing on mental health, psychology, neuroscience, and physics. Her main mediums are painting and drawing.

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