The «Back When We Were Kids» project is an exploration of how childhood dreams are transformed under the pressure of adult reality, social anxieties, and the ecological crisis. The series consists of seven diptychs, where the «light» frame represents pure childhood aspiration, and the «dark» frame represents its distortion.
To have wings
Everyone dreams of soaring among rooftops and watching human life from a bird’s-eye view during childhood. However, like in the Myth of Icarus, our most sincere dreams can lead to tragic consequences.
To Be an Artist
A passion for drawing and an endless flow of creativity—that’s what truly energized us as children. In the adult world, artists frequently face harsh criticism and the struggle to find their true self, which often traps them in their own fears and creative block.
To be a princess
I want to meet my prince and live happily ever after with him. This is exactly what little girls are taught from a very early age. But what if that cherished crown is just bait for another victim?
Living in the Forest
To live among trees, far from civilization, and to cherish every leaf and branch. The older we get, the less we notice how human progress and technology are actually affecting nature.
Talking with toys
I don’t need anyone; my closest friends are my fluffy toys. As we grow up, the number of real loved ones decreases, so we try to return to the days when we felt fulfilled and not lonely. Alas, the past cannot be brought back.
To Be Wealthy
I want to be so wealthy that I can buy anything in this world. The desire for money never goes away; it only grows, making us greedier—capable of selling our soul for the idea of omnipotence.
To Be a Doll
I want to be beautiful like my favorite doll; I will try to look exactly like her. Over time, masks fall away—but what remains beneath the efforts to meet beauty standards?
All the dreams reflected in this project are my own childhood desires, as well as the innermost thoughts of my loved ones. We all experience difficulties and fears as we grow up, but we must never forget our childlike «self» that chose to be happy.
