Anna Zhukova

She was born in Kyiv in 1976. She graduated from the Faculty of Cinema and Television of Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts in 2003. From 2003 to 2013 worked as a television producer. 2018-2020 studied photography at the Kyiv School of Photography, the Vadym Doctorov School of Photography and the MYPH School of Arts, attended a course of lectures on conceptual photography by Roman Pyatkovka. Member of the MYPH community.

In my art practice I usually use digital photography and occasionally collage. Digital photography is similar to the natural eye of a person, who instantly captures something that catches their attention and makes them think about what they saw, and then look at this object or phenomenon again in order to compare the first impression with how the brain interpreted what was seen after the first glance . Collage helps to reproduce the process of perception and layering of images.

The main topic and principle of my practice is contemplation, that unhurried process when objects in the process of contemplation acquire new and often unexpected meanings. At what point does nothingness begin, does it have limits, are we able to get even a little closer to understanding where is the border of the transition, what is real and what is not - these are the questions that I try to answer with my practice. Emotions that arise at the intersection of contrasts are the strongest, at the same time, strong emotions contrast with the state of contemplation, and my practice exists at this intersection.

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Anna's photo projects

Theory and Practice of Controlled Chaos (2025)

Digital collage

"Theory and Practice of Controlled Chaos" is a research project exploring the spontaneous (re)creation of the current state of inner chaos through the layering of imprints of thoughts and images, its communication into external chaos, and the observation of the paradox of order within this process.

Chaos gave birth to the gods, the gods created humans in their own image and likeness, humans created objects and chaos around and within themselves.

artwork Anna Zhukova - - Theory and Practice of Controlled Chaos

Sleepy diary (2024)

Digital photo, pinhole, digital collage

The series "Sleepy Diary" explores the state of transition from wakefulness to sleep, the point where the real transforms into the surreal. The body becomes heavier, the heart begins to beat more slowly, and the breath becomes steadier and deeper. Memories are released, some of them crystal clear, while others take on surreal qualities. This is a state where reality loses its solidity, dissolving into a sea of abstract images, unfinished thoughts, and unexpected visions. Here, time stretches and bends, and the boundaries between the inner and outer worlds blur. Each photograph captures a moment when the mind begins to dance on the edge of two worlds. These are moments when logic dissolves in the mist of the subconscious, leaving behind only glimmers of thoughts and sensations that intertwine in a continuous flow. The images that emerge are both familiar and unfamiliar—fragments of dreams that have not yet fully formed, but are already beginning to manifest as fleeting illusions, reminding us of something long forgotten, or perhaps something that never existed

Observing Irreversibility

The series 'Observing Irreversibility' is an exploration of feelings of fear, despair, and loss that emerge through triggers of undeniable external events, such as a pandemic or war—an investigation into the surreal nature of existence. The familiar reality melts away, and ancient Greek tragic masks are etched onto faces, with the chorus singing about the irreversibility of change. It is also a practice of focusing on the essential, shedding unnecessary layers, offering hope for healing.

Irreversible Changes

The "Irreversible Changes" series, which was created between March and June 2022, is the first reflection on a full-scale invasion, an exploration of the feelings of horror and despair, the losses that have occurred and the anticipation of new losses. The usual reality melts, ancient Greek tragic masks are etched on the faces, the choir sings about the irreversibility of changes.

Fairytale

The "Fairytale" project, which was created during the blackouts, explores the change in perception of the surrounding reality, the acquisition of new meanings of the surrounding, and the creation of fairy-tale plots. When there is no opportunity to see the world around, the perception of reality changes somewhat, the gaze sinks inward and creates and comes to life with fairy-tale plots and characters.

Black series

"Black series" is a project-contemplation of unity and interpenetration of opposites, reflection on sensations that arise at the intersection of contrasts, forms and meanings.