Uliana Konstantinova is a multidisciplinary visual artist and illustrator born in Udmurtia, whose early world impressions were deeply shaped by the regional forests, folklore, and cultural traditions that still anchor her practice. A graduate in painting from the Ural State University of Architecture and Art who also studied illustration at the British Higher School of Art and Design, she employs a research-driven approach to her work, frequently incorporating ethnographic materials, local interviews, and archival memories. Her projects have been showcased internationally at festivals such as MORS in Moscow and Illustrofest in Belgrade. For the festival, she presents the opening chapter of her graphic novel „Roots“ (initially published in an Udmurt regional magazine), a project aimed at immersing audiences in the world of chthonic Udmurt mythology and expanding the understanding of Finno-Ugric culture. The narrative follows a young girl named Nina who returns to her home village for summer holidays and begins noticing strange, mystical occurrences that blur the line between reality and illusion. As she encounters local spirits—including Nyulesmurt, the lord of the forest—the story sheds a contemporary light on the rapid deforestation of Udmurtia, questioning who will ultimately save the region’s ancient woodlands and magical entities from extinction.
Exhibits within: Showcase – Comics
Uliana Konstantinova
