Meet Jenya Datsko and visit her solo exhibition at VLAB Madrid entitled "Una historia en palabras nunca dichas" until January 6, 2024.

Read Jenya Datsko's articles published in Meer Magazine and HypeBeast.

Jenya Datsko is a painter based in Valencia (Spain). Her works captures moments of loneliness and melancholy that at the same time radiate a mysterious and fascinating beauty. Through a soft colour palette and the recurring presence of female figures in various spaces, Datsko invites the viewer to reflect on human nature and the complexity of emotions.

1. How and when did you start painting?

I began painting as an instinctive form of expression at an early age. Over time, I discovered a way to communicate my thoughts and emotions in a deeper way through painting. It was a gradual process of self-discovery through art. Experimenting with different mediums and styles allowed me to find freedom in expression and versatility in visual storytelling.

I discovered a way to communicate my thoughts and emotions in a deeper way through painting

2. Describe your creative process.

My creative process usually begins with the observation of everyday life, absorbing emotions and details. The next step is the phase of conceptualization, where ideas take shape in sketches and notes. Choosing the color palette is like tuning in to emotions. The constant revision and the search for balance between form and content are essential until the piece finally reveals itself, carrying with it the emotions and narrative that I hope to share with the viewer. I like to start working early in the morning and most of the time during the process I prefer to paint in silence for better concentration.

3. What are your main influences?

My main influences as an artist come from the contemplation of beauty in everyday life, the reflections about existence and my own experiences. I am inspired by human connections, the complexity of everyday emotions and simple moments that create authentic stories. Observing simple details connects me to universal experiences.

Observing simple details connects me to universal experiences –Jenya Datsko

4. Who are the women that you portray in your paintings? Why do you mainly depict female characters?

In my paintings, women capture the complexity of human emotions and embody introspection and beauty in sadness. I do not portray a specific woman, but rather paint an abstract figure that symbolizes the essence of the modern woman. I depict female characters because I find in their stories an emotional richness and symbolism, through their experiences, I seek to explore emotional depth and vulnerability, creating a visual dialogue that invites reflection on the complexity of the human experience. These women are not only characters, they are silent narrators of their own experiences, inviting the viewer to dive into the universe of their thoughts and feelings.

I do not portray a specific woman, but rather paint an abstract figure that symbolizes the essence of the modern woman. [...] These women are not only characters, they are silent narrators of their own experiences, inviting the viewer to dive into the universe of their thoughts and feelings.

5. Is there a specific reason behind the color palette you use?

The choice of colors in my paintings is intuitive. Colors are like words and have different forms that convey different emotional "colors". For the exhibition " Una historia en palabras nunca dichas" I decided to go for a darker palette in order to convey a specific idea and immerse the viewer in mysterious stories.

6. Would you like to or do you usually experiment with other media besides painting?

Apart from painting I like to do digital illustrations. I started with digital illustration during the pandemic 3 years ago and did illustrations for magazines, I even illustrated some book covers. My interest in digital illustration has led me to experiment with new forms of expression, merging traditional techniques with digital possibilities.

My interest in digital illustration has led me to experiment with new forms of expression, merging traditional techniques with digital possibilities.

7. What are your aspirations for the future?

My future ambitions are to explore painting in depth and to discover new ways of expressing and transforming ideas. I seek to continue advancing as an artist and to be able to share my work with diverse publics, it is a very interesting path.

Visit Jenya Datsko's solo exhibition "Una historia en palabras nunca dichas" at VLAB Madrid until January 6th, 2024.