Natalia Millman

I am a Ukrainian born UK conceptual artist based in London. I work with painting, sculpture, video, photography and installation.

My work investigates the process of ageing, the impact of grief and the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. My creative process incorporates research, observation and experimentation.

Through my work, I closely look at the damage that time imposes on the human body and mind, affecting the structures in the brain responsible for language, memories, and consciousness.

In my art I explore loss, specifically loss of a person, a status or a feeling. This stems from the personal story of loss of my father to dementia and loss of my independence and youth, as well as the emotional turmoil of anxiety that naturally accompanies loss. My artwork is a result of resilient grieving, my personal growth in the midst of a challenge. It opens the door of communication for other people.

I have heightened response to energies of nature and people and this resulted in my studying the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature: the contrast between natural harmony and human distress, the correlation in growth and decay, the energies of spaces, transience of human form, and the value of mindful reflection on the present moment (#thenatureofmemories). I am drawn to trees and roots as a symbol of oneness which is the foundation of my work.

It aims to highlight the idea of open communication about the stigma of mortality, loss, imperfect motherhood, ageing, anxiety, guilt. These feelings are validated in my work through expressive brush strokes, limited and contrasting colours, rawness of materials, cutting, burning, repairing, mending. Much of my work is constructed from material found on building sites, which I give another life to by modifying its past function. The notion of treasuring the ordinary or broken is an essential part of my creative practice. All of these steps lead to cultivation of post traumatic-growth and healing.

My recently launched “Grief Letter” project gets positive support from people around the world who want to communicate their grief, with many finding it a more manageable step towards accepting and embracing the new you, being compassionate, curious and non-judgmental towards yourself. “Grief Letter” is a community-based project where people can share their personal experience of loss and grief in a form of a letter. The letters are responded by me individually through different media. (#griefletterproject)

Having produced my solo exhibition “Vanishing Point” in 2021, I now proudly represent Arts 4 Dementia, a leading UK charity promoting creativity for people affected by dementia and raise awareness and compassion.