I remember Anna Nova arranging the 'il faut cultivar son jardin' ('we must cultivate our garden') exhibition. It referred to the words said by Voltaire and was held to celebrate the Gallery’s 10th anniversary. This set phrase has become a motto, and first of all, it encourages people to do their things, to do something they like and are good at. Something that is their calling no matter the circumstances. At that time, it defined a challenging but precious path followed by all the participants. The artists were overcoming it with the support and trust of their primary gallery.
My solo exhibition at Anna Nova seems to have been held years ago — in 2011. In 2014, I became a mom, and if you ask me where I’ve been for eight years, I’d answer I was deep in motherhood. I’ve been cultivating my garden and taking part in artistic collaborations as much as possible, but taking care of my kids and peacekeeping in my family have been my utmost priorities.
The stars have finally got aligned for this exhibition to be arranged here and now. Twice it was rescheduled because of the COVID pandemic, and we planned to open it when the long-awaited spring comes. Today, when the ground is literally crumbling under our feet, this call for peace 'everyone should cultivate his/her own garden' is especially pertinent. I cannot ignore the catastrophic circumstances we all have found ourselves in today. At the same time as an artist I can do something to resist the current tragedy – let me invite you to take a walk in my garden. This is what I can do — I can be sincere, soft in heart and sane.
We all have witnessed an act that has broken the taboo supported by the modern civilized community. Let’s keep the fragile peace in our hearts and thoughts, let’s make sure we support each other. We’ve always been able to do it, and I hope we will have such an opportunity in the future. This is what I wholeheartedly believe.
Marya Dmitrieva
