“Hurt,” an Editorial Interview featuring Sasha Filipskih
PHOTO CREDITS: Creative Director: Sasha Filipskih @sashafilipskih Photographer: Valeria Shkodina @shkodiina Stylist Sasha Filipskih @yourstylistalexandra
Makeup Artist: Lilia Luchkina @olenlu_beauty Makeup Artist: Mari Shaerbi @mari_sherbi Model: Emilia Shevtsova @sigma_rostov
Interview by KBR featured in Contagion Media Magazine Vol. 3
Graphic Design by Corinne Ficarra
At what point did you become a professional artist?
I started to create in this direction quite recently. I believe in destiny, and my professional path began after I met interesting people in this field of activity. These people create incredible projects for magazines around the world. I’ve always felt this energy in me, but just a few months ago I realized that I was really ready to share this with the world. When I realized that real people around me create amazing projects, I believed in myself and took the first and very significant step for me, which divided my life into before and after.
Are there any visual artists who inspire you?
Many personalities inspire me. I definitely want to highlight Anna Wintour, because she shaped the views I need in this industry, and I’m also a fan of the classics, like Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana. I’m also just a crazy fan of Tim Walker. I dream of working with him.
What is your favorite element about creating?
Most of all, I like to come up with what my next project will be. Think over every detail, be inspired by someone and create what is only in my head. And when i already see the final result, I don’t even know what is more pleasant to come up with, a work or bringing it to life. It’s so unusual to see in the real world something that was just born in your head.
What is the hardest part of living as a professional artist? Do you have any tips for aspiring artists?
I believe that there is absolutely nothing difficult in creating this kind of work, if you like what you do. I am oppressed only by organizational issues, when I need to write estimates and do work that is not very creative. When I create, I am filled with energy, and I share this energy when I finish work. The best advice I can give to newbies because I am also a beginner is, don’t be afraid to open your heart to others. Do the craziest things that come to your mind, we are of course talking about something creative and not about propaganda or illegal things. You just need to not be afraid to be yourself.
How would you describe your unique style?
My style is my heart. I’m just not afraid to be frank with people. In my work, I always convey a message because I don’t like meaningless things. The whole point is to knock on the inner world of everyone. I think that my corporate identity is not to be afraid to be rejected, because I know that those serious topics that I raise in my works make people think, but there are things that society is afraid to discuss.
What are your favorite colors to use in your art?
There is no definite favorite color of mine. Probably, all the colors that I use in my work, I like equally much. It doesn’t matter if it’s a warm palette or a cold one, I just like to use something new every time and see my thoughts in bright colors.
Tell us about your most recent creative breakthrough
Now I am engaged in a completely new exclusive project. I can only say that this time I was inspired by my favorite cartoons and fairy tales, so this will turn out to be a very dreamy and creative work in the field of fashion.
Do you have recurring themes or messages in any of your work? What are they?
There is always a story in my work. I like to talk about social topics. There are many things that a person struggles with every day. It doesn’t matter if it is a woman or a man, everyone experiences pain, difficulties, and doubts. Each of my jobs carries a message, that I hold all these people by the hand, that I understand and support them. We are all given a series of trials in life, they are all different, but we can find each other in our problems. In every work I do, I just want to say that to those who are currently depressed or feeling lonely on their path in life, they should understand that they are not alone.
Give us insight into the production of your last project
The main message of my work is that every woman experiences pain at one point or another in her life. We all need to wear masks so that we can communicate comfortably or not bother people with our problems. But this is absolutely wrong. When we hide something, we hurt ourselves even more. One way or another, for something to change, you need to talk about it more and more often. It doesn’t matter what your standard of living is, what kind of clothes you wear, where you work, because problems like violence and incurable diseases can be the life of anyone.
What is your dream art collaboration?
I dream of working with a huge number of people. In the field of photography, definitely Tim Walker. Also fashion designers and any creative artists. Artists do not have to be famous in order to create incredible things, so I do not want to name many famous names. I just want to get to know creative people like me as much as possible and create incredible things that will help us turn this world around.
