Мираж (2002) Painting by Melnik

Natalia Melnikova, an artist who lives and works in Ekaterinburg (Russia), was born in 1950 in the family of an architect and an expert in arts and crafts.

At the dawn of her artistic career Natalia received an education in the field of fine arts, she graduated the Schadr College of Fine Arts, attended workshops organized by Popov and devoted every spare minute she had to painting, familiarizing with the heritage of various historical epochs, studying arts and crafts, ornaments, symbolism and coloristics typical of various cultures.

The first works that Natalia decided to show to the audience were woven pieces. Tapestry used to be a true passion of the artist (“Winter-Summer” 1979, “Fall” 1980, “Jarilo” 1982, “Beregynia” 1986). These works of art were displayed during a number of municipal and regional exhibitions, and arts critics complemented these works, for they exposed images through symbolism that was free of constraints of one’s imagination.

In the 80’s and 90’s of the last century Natalia worked in the art studios of the Municipal Fund of Fine Arts in Swerdlowsk (Russia), making monumental murals and designing interior decorations. At that time Natalia was also fond of weaving, ceramics, designing wooden objects for interior decor in Old Slavic style, decorations made of leather, feathers and yarn. Her paintings during those years primarily concentrated on mythological creatures (“The Bird Sirin”, “Mermaids”, “Gryphons”) and nature (“Poplar Fuzz”, “Tulips”, “Happiness in Lilac Hues”).

For years Natalia devoted much time and effort to the orders that she received from private customers. Her art works can now be found in private collections in Russia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the USA and the United Arab Emirates. She currently aims at presenting her works to the general public in Russia. Her participation in the exhibition “Word and Image” that was organized in the Museum of Fine Arts in Ekaterinburg in 2003 evoked much interest. In 2005 Natalia displayed her works during the regional exhibition “Spring”. In 2007 Natalia participated in the Forum for Business Ladies of the Urals. Her personal exhibition was organized in May 2007 in the business center “Antey” (Ekaterinburg). In September 2007 Natalia’s collection “The Garden of My Soul” was displayed in the Gallery “Master TM” (Saint-Petersburg, Russia). In November 2007 the artist was invited to organize a personal exhibition in the Administration of the Nevsky District. In 2008 Natalia participated in the installation that was organized in cooperation with the Gallery “Nevsky Vernisage”. In March 2008 the audience enjoyed personal exhibitions in Moscow and Ekaterinburg. The artist now plans to display her art works in Moscow, Duesseldorf and Vienna.

The range of Natalia’s art works is extremely diverse: it includes realism (“Sunflowers”, “The Gifts of Summer”), impressionism (“Pear”), surrealism (“Noah’s Ark”), symbolism (“Adam and Eve”), abstract art...

• Nationality: RUSSIA
• Date of birth : 1950
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Russian Contemporary Artists