Approved: 27.10.2017

Dina Varpahovsky

Artist

Archived
Approved: 27.10.2017

My work is informed by the rise of narcissism associated with compulsive sharing and posting on social media. The narrative of self was born in the early 20th century when, following Sigmund Freud’s lectures at the Clark University, ideas of psychoanalysis began colonizing popular culture in the USA. Since then the self has become the focus of numerous TV shows, autobiographies, support groups, therapy sessions and the Internet.

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  • Location: Winchester, South East

Artist Statement

My work is informed by the rise of narcissism associated with compulsive sharing and posting on social media. The narrative of self was born in the early 20th century when, following Sigmund Freud’s lectures at the Clark University, ideas of psychoanalysis began colonizing popular culture in the USA. Since then the self has become the focus of numerous TV shows, autobiographies, support groups, therapy sessions and the Internet.

I am particularly interested in how the rise of pocket screens, image-creation technologies and the virtual worlds of social media are enabling individuals to create life narratives and identities online, often serving to project idealized versions of themselves. My paintings deliberately problematize the images circulated on social media, throwing into focus the dangers of losing touch with the solid realities of daily lives. Looking at life through the judging eye of someone else is a difficult way to live.

CV & Education

Education

2016 MA Fine Art / City & Guilds of London Art School
2012 / BA (Hons) Fine Art / Central Saint Martins

Solo exhibitions

2015 Condominium / 10 Grosvenor Street / London
2013 The Zetter Hotel / London
2012 Canary Wharf Window Gallery / London
2009 Chelsea & Westminster Hospital / London

Group exhibitions

2017 ArtWorks Open / Barbican Arts Trust Group / London

2017 Virtuality Mortality / Ugly Duck / London

2017 Exceptional Art Award / Collyer Bristow Gallery / London

2017 MA & Postgraduate Show / Atkinson Gallery / Somerset

2016 The Runaway Fingers / The Pushkin House / London

2016 Tied / XAP group performance / Artlicks Weekend / South bank of Thames outside Tate Modern / London

2016 MA Degree Show / City&Guilds of London Art School / London

2016 Ten Drawings / Dresden Academy of Art / Dresden

2016 Tied / XAP group performance/ Whitstable Biennale Satellite / Whitstable

2016 Daylight Saving / Geddes Gallery / London

2015 The Other Garden / Nancy Victor Gallery / London
2015 The London Group Draw II / The Cello Factory / London
2014 Contemporary Art & Design Show / CavalieroFinn / London
2014 Wells Art Contemporary Open / Wells / Somerset
2014 Up & Coming / Kids of Dada / Hoxton Gallery / London
2014 The Psychotropic House / Yinka Shonibare Guest Projects / London
2013 Zeitgeist Art Projects Open / London
2013 Worcester Open / Worcester
2013 London Group Centenary Open / The Cello Factory / London
2013 Dirty Linen / Curious Duke Gallery / London
2012 Clyde & Co Community Art Project / London

2012 Contemporary Art & Design Show / CavalieroFinn / London
2012 There Is No Plan / BA Fine Art / Central Saint Martins / London
2010 Displacement / Spinach / London
2009 Château d’If / artist and co-curator / Shoreditch Town Hall / London
2009 2009.75 - A Point in Time / Lewisham Art House

Collections

Tamiko O'Brien, Principal of City & Guilds of London Art School

Mark Dunhill, Dean of Academic Programmes at Central Saint Martins

Ceri Hand, Associate Director at Simon Lee Gallery

Other private collections in the UK, Russia, USA

Publications

2017 ASSEMBLAGE #2, November / Interview with Dina Varpahovsky

2015 SAATCHI ART One to watch, January
2012 HEART HOME, October
2012 CANARY WHARF #86, September
2009 DAZED & CONFUSED 6 November / CHÂTEAU D'IF This weekend St Martins students transform the basement of Shoreditch Town Hall into a haunting underworld (interview)