The Beauty of Artistic Connections: Welcoming Guest Artist Anna Filimonova to Sydney

Artistic Connection

Art has an incredible way of connecting people, not just through what we create but through the relationships that form around it. For me, curating is more than just selecting artworks—it’s about discovering artists whose visions align with my love for abstract, streak, and quirky pieces that stand out from the rest. I deeply admire artists who are bold, unique, and unafraid to challenge perceptions.

That’s why I’m so thrilled to introduce Anna Filimonova’s latest collection, Chromatic Concepts, at Mira Corbova Art Gallery. Having worked together for over seven years in New Zealand, our collaboration is built on mutual respect, loyalty, and a shared passion for art that captivates and inspires. Now, as I establish my private gallery in Sydney, it’s truly special to reunite and showcase her surreal, dreamlike cityscapes alongside my own abstract work.

Why the Artist-Curator Relationship Matters

Being both an artist and a curator, I understand the dedication it takes to build a career in the art world. Just as artists rely on galleries to believe in their work, promote their creations, and provide them with opportunities, galleries depend on artists to trust the process, communicate openly, and appreciate the hard work behind the scenes.

Words from my Guest Artist Anna Filimonova

AF: I have a special connection with Mira. She invited me to exhibit in her gallery in 2018 after I won an award, and that became my professional arrival. Her encouragement and advice have given me the confidence to take my art further. She has a gift for finding talented artists, and I am just so grateful and loyal to her for the support and guidance she has given me over the years.

MC: Thank you Anna!

This is exactly the kind of beautiful, pressure-free relationship that allows both artist and curator to flourish. We learn from each other every day, growing together in ways that elevate our work and deepen our appreciation for what we do. Anna’s appreciation for our journey together means the world to me. View Anna’s works online or in our MCA Gallery in Kellyville Ridge.

Chromatic Concepts: A City Reimagined

MC: Anna, your new collection is a breathtaking exploration of urban dreamscapes, blending the familiar with the fantastical. Inspired by the cityscapes of Sydney and Auckland, she transforms iconic landmarks—such as the Sydney Opera House—into surreal visions where light and colour take on a life of their own. Your ability to capture the essence of a city while reimagining it through her unique surrealist lens is what makes her work so special.

AF: For some time, I wondered if I could present an urban scene in keeping with my approach to landscapes. My landscapes have an otherworldly feeling to them, so the challenge was how to depict a city in a way that allows the observer to see the familiar in a new light. This led to the creation of Chromatic Concepts, where cities become creatures of light, blending reality with the fantastical.

MC: Your signature clean, sharp aesthetic remains at the heart of your work, yet each collection brings new energy and meaning. The careful balance of colour, composition, and imagination makes Chromatic Concepts a truly mesmerising experience!

Anna - your artistic direction has beautifully shifted over the years—like moods or experiences—but your work remains unmistakably Anna. Many clients are fascinated by the precision and signature clean, sharp look of your surreal and fantastical pieces. What inspires these changes from collection to collection?

AF: My vision as an artist is to provide new ways for people to see and experience what we already know. The idea of capturing a view as seen through a window emerged early. I found that using rooms, doors, and windows gave me a way to say something while also giving me the freedom to shift my focus from one idea to the next without losing my visual identity.

“Colour untamed” was the theme of my early Oscillation series, but then it was captured inside the windows and doors of the Opportunities and White Rooms series. Over time, my use of windows has allowed me maximum flexibility to experiment with ideas without losing my signature style.

MC: As an artist and avid art lover, I wonder what draws you to blend fantasy with urban reality in your work, and how has that vision evolved?

AF: For some years, I’ve been pondering how to present an urban scene in line with my approach to landscapes and composition. My landscapes, in particular, have an otherworldly feeling, so the challenge was depicting a city scene in a way that allows the observer to see the familiar in a new light. In 2024, I began exploring this approach literally, aiming to portray a city as a creature of light, which led to the creation of the Chromatic Concepts series.

MC: How did the cityscapes of Sydney and Auckland influence this new body of work?

AF: As my home, the Auckland cityscape was an obvious starting point, allowing me to explore how to zoom in and give buildings their own identity within the whole. The next step was depicting Sydney, where I have fond memories of a fantastic holiday with just my sister and me a few years ago.

MC: I’m always fascinated by lush colours, they make me happy. As you know, my art is very colourful. Colour is a vibrant element in your collections, Anna. How do you decide on your palette for each series, and does it reflect specific themes or emotions?

AF: In this series, I start with the sky, mixing various colours and then stretching them down into complementary shades. I then choose an image that has the right feel to lay the silhouette of the sky on. After that, the colour of the sky seems to seep into the painting, sparking complementary and contrasting colours. It’s a mystery even to me how it works.

MC: What do you hope viewers take away from Chromatic Concepts?

AF: Surreal art is often considered a mix of fact and fantasy. Here, the mix comprises the reality of a city and fantastical depictions of it in myriad contortions of colour. I aim to challenge the viewer and tell them a visual story that resonates emotionally—a vision of the real and unreal together.

MC: Are there particular techniques or creative rituals that help you achieve the meticulous precision your work is known for?

AF: Not really. This stems from the training I received in Ukraine, which at the time seemed ridiculously pedantic. Now, I greatly appreciate the skills they taught me.

MC: As an artist, I always have a few personal favourite artworks in my collection, but I can’t keep them all. When I see a client in love with my artwork, I’m deeply moved and ready to let it go! It happened recently here in Sydney with my Grace artwork accompanied by a poem; some friends couldn’t believe I sold it. My wonderful clients were so touched, and I knew Grace belonged to them! It brings me immense joy when our art connects so profoundly with its new owners. I’m very grateful for this connection and my client’s kind words and support. Do you have a personal favourite piece in this collection, and what makes it special to you?

AF: My favourite is always the last painting I’ve completed, as it encompasses everything I’ve learned up to that point. I’m particularly pleased with Inbetween Is and Isn’t because I feel the juxtaposition of the Opera House and city towers playing against each other works very well (and the title fits nicely). The two Shine and Witness works are more conventional but posed a significant challenge. It was difficult to paint the subtlety of a night scene, and also nerve-racking, as any mistakes on the searchlights would have ruined the paintings.

MC: What advice would you share with emerging artists striving to develop a distinct and recognisable style?

AF: Don’t listen to anyone’s advice! Just be true to your own vision.

MC: Indeed! Stay true to your essence- your colours, your vision, your voice. There’s only one YOU, and that’s your greatest strength. Be YOURSELF—always!

Celebrating Trust, Creativity, and Collaboration

As an artist myself, I am grateful for every gallery that has trusted in me, nurtured my work, and given my art a platform. I know firsthand the commitment, passion, and effort it takes to support artists and share their creations with the world. This understanding makes my curatorial work even more rewarding, as I strive to do the same for the incredible artists I collaborate with.

It’s a privilege to work with artists like Anna—those who not only create outstanding art but also value and respect the relationships that make exhibitions possible. When this mutual appreciation exists, the result is something truly special and lasting.

A heartfelt Thank you to everyone who joined our latest Art Soirée where we opened the Chromatic Concepts exhibition at Mira Corbova Art Gallery. It was an absolute pleasure to share this special evening with such a fantastic crowd, engaging conversations, and wonderful feedback about my art and my guest artist Anna’s work. We look forward to welcoming you again in the future gatherings, exhibitions and creative experiences!

All works are available to view online or by private appointment. Whether in person or online, our art promises to challenge perceptions, spark emotions and celebrate the boundless creativity of abstract and surrealism.

Visit miracorbovaart.com to view our latest art collection. Follow us on social media: Instagram and Facebook to view our latest works. Sign up for our newsletter to hear more and receive special invites to our art events.

Here’s to trust, creativity, and the power of connection through art!

Mira Corbova
Artist | Curator | Storyteller