The First Chapter : Interview with Yana Sakhno (English ver.)

       

This conversation marks the seventh interview in the series ‘Defining Moments: The First Start or the Turning Moment’. We meet Yana Sakhno, a ceramic artist from Monchegorsk who has found her voice in Saint Petersburg. Trained in costume design but ultimately drawn to clay, Yana builds tactile worlds inhabited by singular characters—an approach that crystallized with her first BLOB, when emotion began to lead thought.

Music and cinema set the rhythm of her practice. The painters Vrubel and Vermeer, and the satirical charge of James Ensor, inform her sensibility; among contemporary sculptors, she looks to Joakim Ojanen for his freedom and wit. From these threads, Yana shapes universes that invite viewers to recognize themselves in a figure, a mood, a glance.

She is now extending that world—experimenting with scale and materials, developing installations, and preparing for a solo exhibition—while imagining new realms beyond BLOB that might intertwine and converse. 

This interview has been carefully edited to preserve Yana’s reflective voice and genuine perspective. Now, in the artist’s own words.

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Q. Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us. I'd love to begin by hearing about you and your practice. How would you introduce yourself as an artist, and what work are you currently engaged with?

A. My name is Yana Sakhno, and I'm a ceramic artist originally from Monchegorsk, a small northern town in Russia. Despite my roots, I've spent the majority of my adult life in the vibrant city of Saint Petersburg, where I share a cozy, intimate studio with two fellow artists, nestled in a green courtyard. Although my educational background is in costume design, my true artistic journey began after university when I immersed myself in ceramics. I studied under various masters and honed my skills through extensive independent practice. Teaching workshops for several years was rewarding, yet I felt a deeper calling. Gradually, my path in ceramics and sculpture unfolded, leading me to create small series of works inspired by unique characters and the formation of new universes.

2022

Q. Could you share what first set you on the path as an artist, or a decisive moment that drew you deeply into your practice? If an image or sensation returns when you think of that time, we would be grateful to hear about it.

A. I cannot identify one specific moment when I suddenly realized myself as an artist. Rather, it was a long and gradual journey. I experimented with different materials, mediums, and professions, and gradually came to understand that artistic practice is my way of existing.

Since childhood, I felt a desire to create something, though for a long time I could not define in what form I wanted to express myself. This search passed through art school, university, and teaching experience, and eventually started to take form.

In the very beginning, I spoke more through form and visuals rather than through emotions. But the creation of the first work from the BLOB series became a turning point. It was the first time I made something not "through my head," but through emotion. I felt a profound sense of inner freedom, as if everything was just beginning, with endless paths ahead. Of course, over time such vivid emotions have dulled, but I still hope to experience that feeling again - when something radically new is born.

BLOBS 2024

Q. Have you ever experienced a slump or faced significant difficulties in your creative process? If so, how did you navigate and overcome that period? We are also curious to know if this process led to discovering your unique style or artistic direction, and whether you noticed any changes in your environment or in the reactions of those around you.

A. Creative crises and difficulties are, for me, a natural part of the journey. I believe that growth is impossible without them. Of course, each crisis is challenging, and recovery takes time, but I try to view such moments as opportunities for growth. I understand that they will accompany me throughout my entire career, and that is normal.

At this point, I still feel like I'm at the beginning of my journey, so I can't say that difficulties have radically changed my direction yet. However, I believe that these very challenges will gradually shape and refine my path as I move forward.

BLOB CARROT 2024

Q. The fears or difficulties encountered on one's journey are often deeply connected to the birth of a particular artwork. Could you tell us about a piece that was especially challenging to create, but through which you gained a significant realization or felt a great sense of reward? Please share the experience behind that work and what that moment means to you now.

A. The turning point for me was the creation of the first BLOB. It emerged during a period of intense inner tension and experiences when I sought refuge in an imaginary space to find a point of support. Instead of crafting an abstract or complex image, I aimed to create a simple, naïve character — my “friend,” with whom I could share emotions. This process merged both my crisis experiences and personal feelings, including the love that entered my life at that time.

Thus, the universe of BLOBS gradually came into being — a series that became the foundation of my artistic practice. From that moment, I began to think not in terms of separate objects, but as an entire world of characters, each carrying its own personality, mood, and emotion. This turning point has defined my path to this day and continues to shape its development.

BLOB ZEYTIN 2025

Q. Following that turning point, did the core message or values you wish to convey through your art also change? If so, what do you consider the most significant shift?

A. Previously, I didn't have vivid images; my work was more about applied searches. However, with the character of BLOB, I managed to combine emotion and visual form. It doesn't carry heavy philosophy, but it does convey simple human feelings that resonate with the viewer.

For me, it's important that BLOB is not just an artistic object but also a reflection of myself, my surroundings, my views, and my interests. Each character has its own personality: one is prickly and bold, another calm and quiet, and a third bright and expressive. I like the idea that a person chooses "their" character and sees themselves in it. Then, a kind of chemistry happens, and this BLOB becomes their friend, talisman, or even a sort of "pet”.

Yana Sakhno and BLOB

Q. Could you tell us about any individuals, artworks, or environments that have been influential in shaping your identity as an artist? We are also interested in learning how these influences are woven into your current work.

A. Music and cinema have always been my main sources of inspiration. They help shape the direction and rhythm of my work. In my teenage years, I was inspired by painters such as Vrubel and Vermeer. Now, I am more drawn to the ironic and satirical energy in art, like that found in the works of James Ensor, whose art evokes strong emotions. Among contemporary sculptors, I find inspiration in Joakim Ojanen. I admire his freedom, sense of humor, and the ease with which he expresses himself.

In my own practice, travel and encountering new experiences are huge sources of inspiration. Even small trips serve as a way to reset and provide a powerful impulse for new ideas.

Q. What role does the audience play in your creative process? How does the act of sharing your work with others impact its meaning for you?

A. The audience plays a crucial role in my creative process. I believe that without the audience, I wouldn't have the strength to continue. It's important to me that people engage with my work.

BLOB SLEEPY 2023

BLOBLAND in Teta Gallery

Q. Building on your past turning points, in what new directions do you hope your artistic world will evolve? What new ideas or uncharted territories are most exciting to you right now?

A. At the moment, it's important for me to continue working within my current series while also pushing beyond my own boundaries—beyond familiar materials like ceramics and paper. I want to explore complex and unexpected combinations, experiment with scale, create installations, and hold a solo exhibition.

I view my practice as the creation of distinct universes filled with characters and various beings. Currently, it's the world of BLOB, but in the future, I hope to venture beyond it and immerse myself in new worlds. Sometimes I imagine there could be several of them, intertwining with each other. I'm interested in creating a space where viewers can explore and uncover multiple layers and stories.

I also feel that gaining new professional experiences is crucial for my further development. I would like to enroll in additional programs, participate in art residencies, and explore practices outside my usual environment. Although it's challenging right now, especially on an international level, this remains a goal for me.

Q. Thank you so much for sharing such thoughtful insights with us today. As we conclude our conversation, What message would you like to share with your future self, or with someone who is about to embark on their own artistic journey?

A. My advice is to practice extensively and not to fear anything. This is universal for any artist: to try, make mistakes, search, and try again. Only through this process can something genuine emerge.

BLOB JELLY 2025

Contact
Artist : Yana Sakhno
Instagram : @yanasakhnoceramics