Revealing Resilience, Transformation, Shared Human Experience, and Memory: An Interview with Multidisciplinary Artist Yulia Rotkina
Revealing Resilience, Transformation, Shared Human Experience, and Memory: An Interview with Multidisciplinary Artist Yulia Rotkina
By Dr Joshua Y’Barbo
6 Feb 2025
Introduction
In this interview, I have the privilege of speaking with Yulia Rotkina, a talented visual artist whose journey is characterised by resilience, personal transformation, and a profound commitment to exploring the complex themes of human existence. I included Rotkina in the TEAM LEWIS Foundation Emerging Artist Exhibition 2021-2022. With a background in psychology and experience in the film industry, Rotkina has navigated significant life changes, including the impact of loss and the challenges posed by her home country's struggles. Through their art, she aims to foster conversations about shared experiences, memory, and the essence of being human. As a Chelsea College of Arts graduate with an MA in Fine Art, she has embraced a multidisciplinary approach that enables her to express her vision in innovative ways. Join me as Rotkina explores her artistic influences, thematic investigations, and aspirations for engaging with the vibrant art community in the UK.
Can you tell us about your journey as an artist and what inspired you to pursue this path?
My journey as a visual artist has been deeply influenced by my mother, an avid craft artist and painter, who instilled in me a deep admiration for art. I have always drawn and painted; however, my university degree was in psychology, after which I worked in the film industry until the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, I lost my father, and like many others, I went through a personal crisis, losing faith in many things I once held dear. This loss led me to realise that my old ways of working no longer served me. I began searching for new ways to express the imagery that had always appeared in my mind. Art, with its freedom of expression and independence in the creative process, was a revelation for me. Unlike in film production, I could work directly and quickly, without relying on others and with full control over the final result.
How has your experience as a UAL graduate influenced your artistic style and techniques?
To dive into a relatively new field for me, I decided to pursue an MA in Fine Art at UAL. It had a profound impact on how I work today. My initial goal was to explore how I could apply the skills and techniques I already had. However, the environment at UAL encouraged me to experiment with new approaches and pushed me to dive deeper into conceptual thinking and critical theories underlying my work. During the course I discovered my key themes and drives that shaped my approach to visual form, which led me to develop a more multidisciplinary practice. In addition to my regular video art practice, I delved into installations, constructing 3D objects that combine assemblage and painting. I even explored embroidery using human hair—something I never imagined I could incorporate into my work.
What themes or messages do you explore in your artwork, and how do they relate to your personal experiences?
The themes I explore in my artwork are deeply rooted in my desire to understand the complexities of human existence. I examine how personal and collective memory, emotions, and the struggles we face in life shape and define both our individual and shared experiences. In my work, I often turn to the fleeting nature of time and existence, exploring the contrasts between permanence and impermanence.
On a more personal level, I am drawn to these themes through my own experiences of loss and change. I know others go through similar processes, and they don’t have to do so alone, in silence, or in isolation—art can open conversations about it.
Where is your home country, and how has the current situation impacted your work and decision to stay in the UK?
I come from a non-democratic country involved in a war, and it breaks my heart to see the place where I was born undergoing a massive, mind-shattering transformation. It has changed me and my practice. In times of violent conflict, you cannot look the other way—you start questioning your own identity and your personal responsibility for events beyond your control. In non-democratic countries, anyone outside the small ruling elite has no real means to influence political processes. This sense of helplessness shapes you, becoming ingrained in your self-identity. I often meet other artists from countries like Iran, Russia, Belarus, and we share a language of grief, shame, and this helplessness that poisons us all. One of the main reasons I want to continue my practice in the UK is the freedom I have here to create without censorship or fear.
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What challenges do you foresee in continuing your art practice here in the UK, and how do you plan to overcome them?
One of the challenges I’ve encountered in my art practice is balancing my natural voice—introspective, reflective, and withdrawn—with a newfound urgency to fight for peace, democratic values, freedom of speech, and to draw attention to human rights violations in my home country. It had drastically different demanding colours. The shock of war nearly rendered my art practice obsolete; it felt as though nothing made sense anymore, and everything was shattered. This was a common experience among many artists from my region. As Theodor Adorno said, “To write poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric.”
After months of depression, I realised that even if I couldn’t create for myself in the way I once did, I could channel my skills into supporting others who could—amplifying voices for a cause that mattered. I connected with human rights organisations and theatre productions that continuously advocate for humanistic values. As a visual artist, I became part of significant initiatives that spoke loudly about what was important for me. This process became my salvation—my mental and emotional resilience gradually restored through collaboration with others who refused to give up. Since then, I encourage fellow artists struggling with mental strain not to isolate themselves but to reach out to like-minded people.
In what ways do you hope to engage with the UK art community and share your cultural background?
I see engagement with the UK art community as a dynamic exchange—both contributing my perspective and learning from others. The world is undergoing ever-growing globalisation, bringing both challenges and opportunities. I hope to share my personal experiences of displacement and add a perspective from my part of the world to the evolving chorus of voices shaped by this global process.
Additionally, I believe in the importance of artist-led initiatives that amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard. I would love to continue taking part in such initiatives, especially in cross-disciplinary projects where visual art intersects with other media.
Can you discuss a particular project or piece that has special meaning to you, especially in your current situation?
A project that has special meaning for me is a site-specific installation I made in 2022, titled “Multi-Faith Prayer Room”. I was working under intense emotional confusion about the state of the world, and my inspiration came from the real multi-faith prayer rooms found in airports. The installation, I felt, was an untangled coil of concepts, rooted in the hope that if such spaces exist in airports—where people from all walks of life can pray side by side in the same room—then perhaps a small possibility for mutual understanding among people exists.
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What resources or support would be most beneficial for artists like yourself during this transitional period?
Access to affordable studio space, funding, and exhibition opportunities is essential for me and many visual artists. Platforms that support interdisciplinary collaboration would also be invaluable, as such projects often involve many people and require spaces beyond what a single artist can afford. Additionally, mental health support and mentorship can help artists stay grounded and motivated during periods of crisis and change.
How do you envision your future as an artist in the UK, and what goals do you hope to achieve in the coming years?
In the future, I see myself moving along two interwoven paths. One is my personal practice as a visual artist. I aim to exhibit more, participate in residencies, and explore how my work evolves over time through new techniques and approaches. It’s an intriguing adventure of discovery. The other path I’m excited to follow is collaborating with artists from various creative fields to bring ideas to life that reflect the values of freedom and peace, which I hold above all else.
Conclusion
Rotkina’s journey emphasises resilience and personal transformation, which can inspire art that reflects the challenges and triumphs of individuals and communities. As communities face environmental, social, and economic challenges, this can encourage dialogue on resilience within sustainable development.
Concentrating on intricate themes surrounding human existence, artists such as Rotkina can enhance awareness of vital social issues, including mental health, grief, and the effects of political or environmental conflicts. Art is a potent instrument for advocacy, highlighting sustainable practices and fostering community involvement.
Fostering conversations around shared experiences resonates with the principles of sustainable development, which often emphasise collaboration, inclusivity, and understanding diverse perspectives. Art can document and express collective memories, preserving cultural heritage while promoting social cohesion.
Rotkina’s education and willingness to explore different mediums reflect a modern approach to artistic practice that can be aligned with sustainable development goals. Multidisciplinary art can incorporate sustainability into its very fabric, advocating for environmental awareness and innovative solutions through creativity.
The aspiration to engage with the vibrant art community in the UK suggests a commitment to collaboration and shared growth, which is essential for advancing sustainable development initiatives. Art communities can be platforms for networking, sharing ideas, and fostering projects that address social and environmental issues.
In conclusion, the themes in Rotkina’s work suggest that art and sustainable development can maintain a symbiotic relationship. Creative expression can mirror societal realities and foster awareness, resilience, and collaborative efforts towards a more sustainable future.
Follow Rotkina on Instagram
Follow Y'Barbo on Instagram|LinkedIn|Website
Artist-in-Residence at TEAM LEWIS Foundation
Associate Lecturer at Camberwell, Chelsea, and Wimbledon Colleges of the Arts, UAL
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