Born in Odesa in 1997 and currently based in Leipzig, Katarse is a new but compelling force in contemporary art. Specialized in figurative art, the artist uses acrylic and oil paint, pastel, and sculpting materials to craft emotionally charged narratives, exploring the realms of grief, reverie and bizarre fantasies. Their work, adorned with surreal nuances and shrouded in fog-like textures, creates a visceral and immersive experience for the viewer.

Noteworthy among Katarse’s projects is the series “Divine Wrath,” delving into the emotional impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Through this series, Katarse tells a story of second-hand suffering inflicted by war. The artist’s body of work is crowned by the large-scale painting “Lovers’ Parade,” first showcased during the solo exhibition of the same name in Berlin in December 2022. This piece is an ode to the cosmic force that can exist between two people, and how it can transform something as simple as a kiss into a matter of transcendental proportions.

Katarse’s art is focused on visual storytelling. With every step taken closer to them one experiences that the lighthearted appearance is brimming with morbid details, and together they illustrate how multifaceted an experience of woe can be.