Anastasia
Shik

Due to the absence of significant others and my own personal struggles, I turned to art as a means of self-discovery and self-expression. I found joy in engaging in various artistic endeavors, such as crafting, drawing, and even singing.

I am a child abuse and neglect survivor. The Russian Boarding School is where I spent a significant portion of my formative years. It all gave me some troubles throughout my life with my emotions and life choices.

Since my teenage years, I have developed a keen interest in photography. I discovered a sense of empowerment and self-assurance as I hid behind the lens of my camera, allowing me to convey my unique perspective of the world.

At a particular juncture in my journey, when I was navigating through major life changes and confronting the memories of my youth, I initiated a photography project centered around young children, including my own three little boys. The photos showcased great strength and quality, yet it presented a significant emotional test for me. That gave me a big push to rediscover my personal art vision and path in photography and to embrace it fully.

I found myself strongly inclined towards delving into the topic of sexuality, as its appeal and complexity fascinated me. I was seeing it as Big Power that can be also fragile and destructive.

Sometimes I find my own photos "disturbing", but they never leave me numb. I believe that I'm not just a photographer, I'm an artist. I have gained a profound understanding of my craft, a strong sense of direction in my subjects, a deep sense of fulfillment in my process, and an unwavering declaration of my personal
identity through my creative expression.