Out of the Cube in conversation with Dasha

How did you start your career?

I studied painting at the Belarusian State Academy of Arts. I was first mostly interested in painting. At the same time, I was fascinated with contemporary art and modern performance technologies. So I bought my first camera to express myself and my Art in a way that seemed more modern to me. I guess that was the very beginning of my career as a Fine Art photographer.

I chose photography as the most modern art form and I combined it with drawing technology. All models in the photos wear real make-up.

When I started my career I was interested in everything. I watched magazines and I was interested in the process of assembling a photoshoot from start to finish. I also really wanted to know how photographers handle photos so beautifully. I, step by step, and thanks to the Internet learned everything on my own and answered my own questions. We live in an age of opportunity — everything is in our hands.

What have been the most important projects and collaborations during your career?

Both music and visual artists have hits. Sometimes this is one art in a lifetime, and in the worst case, none at all.

In 2016, I created a series of photos titled ACCENTS AND FORMS. People fell in love with it, and that became a hit.

I owe the international photo awards and publications in magazines, and much more, to this series of photos. I am happy that I have these photos and I consider them to be one of my favourites.

How are your days organized? Do you have a team working with you or do you work solo?

I work every day. I have no days off or working days. I just live from what I do. I collaborate with many people. Several make-up artists help me implement ideas, and a talented designer sews outfits for us. My husband helps me with marketing and writing, which gives me the opportunity to create more. We are not a big team that is capable of implementing very big ideas.

What are the themes that have been at the centre of your practice recently?

Now I work a lot in the style of cubism, graphics and suprematism. This is very interesting because in photography it is difficult to show my inspirations. I love challenges! Unusual geometric prints on the bodies of the models look very cool, I plan to make a large series of such photos. In my opinion, such a direction does not become obsolete and looks very fashionable.

You recently began painting with oil. What has led you to start painting?

Many years ago, after graduating from an art academy, I wouldn’t draw, even though I have a Fine Art diploma. I completely focused on photography. During the pandemic, my photoshoots paused and I liked the idea of drawing a couple of pictures. This allows me to stimulate my ideas and seek inspiration. Working with a brush and hands has a very positive effect on me. The pictures turned out to be very good, this is creative and stylish!

I think that I will continue to develop this direction in parallel with photography.

What did it mean for you to win the FEP European Professional Photographer of the Year 2020?

This prize means a lot to me. I applied to awards for 6 years and tried different competitions. I wanted to win, but I was probably not as ready as I am now. Any photographers who are members of this international organization can apply to the federation. I took part for the first time, I submitted photos from the series ACCENTS AND FORMS as I knew that this is a very strong series of photos and it deserves attention. The right choice of series led me to be nominated as the best photographer in Europe in 2020. It is a great pride to have such a title.

Even more recently, you won an additional award, the Silver award in WPE competition 2020. Can you tell me more about the work with which you won this award, and the cover that followed for the Italian magazine Il Cacofonico?

The photo from the GEOMETRY series is very new. I try to feel my photos and decide which ones I will apply within contests. This series has potential, so I experimentally sent it to participate. It is very important what photos you show in a contest, you need to make the very right choice.

This prize means a lot to me. I applied to awards for 6 years and tried different competitions. I wanted to win, but I was probably not as ready as I am now. Any photographers who are members of this international organization can apply to the federation. I took part for the first time, I submitted photos from the series ACCENTS AND FORMS as I knew that this is a very strong series of photos and it deserves attention. The right choice of series led me to be nominated as the best photographer in Europe in 2020. It is a great pride to have such a title.

Is it something usual for you to have your work featured on covers, and what is the cover you are the proudest of?

I especially love when my photos are shown on covers. It’s very flattering. My favourite cover was in PHOTO WORLD Magazine (China). This is the most influential and largest publication about photography in China. Therefore, it’s a great platform to share my works.

Can you tell us more about the Belarus Pavilion of EXPO 2020 Dubai? How did this project start?

A year ago, I learned about EXPO in Dubai. I was quickly very inspired by the pavilion. I wrote a letter to the organizer and asked for a meeting to talk more about my ideas. Followed months of conversation. It was stressful, but in the end, it was decided that I would represent the art zone of the Republic of BELARUS at Dubai Expo 2020. This will be a personal creative exhibition with a flavour from Belarus.

I plan to make a personal exhibition of fine art photography, in a contemporary vein. The theme of the exhibition will be related to the culture of Belarus. I will use national colours, symbols, ornaments and key figures from the history of Belarus. I also plan to include the themes of animals and nature in Belarus, in an unusual manner.

What makes the specificity of the Belarusian Art World from your point of view?

There are a lot of talents in my country. It seems to me that the world is charged with Art here. Marc Chagall was from Belarus, and originally from my city — Vitebsk. He created quite a lot here, it makes this place quite special.

But despite the number of talents, the art market is not developed nor in demand here, so many artists remain unnoticed. Only authors who can be famous at an international level will succeed.

It is almost impossible for other artists to survive through Art. It takes a lot of strength and ambition to become noticeable, but unfortunately, this is not given to everyone.

How has the virus affected your career? Has any exhibition or event been cancelled?

The pandemic had a big impact on the start of my career in 2020. A large event from the Federation of European Photographers in Rome was cancelled and the award ceremony was held online. I was disappointed to not be able to go on stage and pick up the first prize.

Also, I was supposed to go to China, where thousands of designers and students were about to attend my lectures and masterclasses. At the same festival in China, I had a personal exhibition cancelled.

And of course, the long-awaited EXPO Dubai has been postponed for another year.

This is only a part of the cancellations connected to my projects. I don’t know how my career will go further this year. I want to be optimistic and I hope that artists won’t worry too much, and keep on working.

Is your financial situation as a photographer stable?

As I wrote earlier, the art market is not developed in my country. And communication with other countries due to the pandemic is limited. Now is a difficult time, as there are no photoshoots planned. One of the solutions I found was to sell the oil paintings to interiors. I am looking for ways to sustain myself, but I am still looking for support.

Are you using any platforms to sell your works online?

My works can be seen on SaatchiArt, but this is a selection of exclusive ones. Most of my work can be bought from me directly. This will allow the customer to buy as profitably as possible, without a dealer margin. But I think that soon I will find options in different countries and that I will start selling my work more globally.

What would you still need to learn now about selling Art?

I just started selling my work. All these years I have been collecting materials, slowly. Now my personal collection of works is very impressive and I am ready to sell. But it’s very difficult to find a client, and to know where to look for them?

Art platforms are crowded with artists. You need to understand how to look more attractive than everyone else, and it’s not even about the Art itself but the way it is displayed.

I am looking for a formula that works well for me.

What advice would you give to photographers starting their careers?

Do not waste time in vain! Be ambitious! If you decide that you want to be the best, so be the best. No one can stop you. But you should know that reward does not come just like that. You need to work hard and live with your practice.

To learn more about Dasha’s work, please visit her website: https://www.dashafoto.com/

To see available works by Dasha, and receive her latest news, follow Dasha on Instagram: @dasha_foto_art

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Gavriella Abekassis

Out of the Cube