The end of March was a hot time for pop-up shows at the Eight Squared Gallery in Folkstone, and Anastasiya Mykhaylova’s I See You Everywhere I Go became one of the most interesting ones.
My work reflects the tension between personal and collective grief, inviting the supernatural to become a part of our reality, Mykhaylova said at the opening day. She also mentioned that a town like Folkstone is a perfect place for her solo show because it has the same vibe that she tries to illustrate in some of her photo series.
The photographer showcased a project that touched everybody’s heart deeply – the series is a love letter to her passed-away grandfather, whom she loved deeply. The exhibit transformed the galley interior in a poetic space where visual metaphors created a swirl of emotions for the audience.
The theme of loss is quite popular in contemporary art, and Anastasiya Mykhaylova is no exception. Her personal trauma became a powerful source of inspiration that also helped some viewers heal their soul wounds. Some of the visitors mentioned that the show had a therapeutic effect on them and that they were shocked at how a minimalistic photo series could have such a significant effect on them.