A Journey Down the Yellow River Print

Hi, my name is Olga Kataeva-Rochford. I am painter and graphic artist. Born in Saint-Petersburg, I live and work in Paris. Passioned by the sea and ships, I teach drawing from life to future naval architects. The history of my French family is closely linked to the sea, so the main theme of my artistic work is exploration and journeys, both in spatial, temporal and cultural terms. The seaman, by their example, teach me inner freedom, mutual assistance, love of life, responsibility and discipline. The sea for me is associated with the human dream of conquering immense space. A ship is like a floating construction, a floating temple, a particle of human creative presence, in contrast to the immensity of the elements. The sea is as immense and deep as our lives. For every theme I search for the means of expression and technique most suited to it. So my work is always very different, just as life itself. Life is our main gift, fragile and fleeting. All of the manifestations of our life are precious and worthy of being captured. This is what I talk about in my art. I am attracted by complex and multi-layered textures and meanings. Images that reveal themselves to the viewer gradually, as they sink their gaze into the work. I often use tempera in my work. The harmony of its natural pigments reminds me of the monumental paintings of the Renaissance and Medieval masters. I also experiment with mixed media and wood. Everything we create is the result of a long and complex process, and the viewer sees only a small part of it. Journeys, personal experiences and stories, encounters by chance and meetings with significant people in my life are all embodied in my artworks in one way or another. And the greatest joy is to see my emotions and impressions echoed in the viewer.