Erarta Galleries London is pleased to present Exposed by young St. Petersburg artist, Katya Krasnaya. A native of Russia’s second city, Krasnaya has grown up with the ever-changing view of the city not only as a bridge between Russia and Europe, but also between classical and contemporary art.

Russia’s street art scene is something that has taken a more comprehensive form in recent years; heralded by a number of festivals across Russia including Artside, MOST, the Wall Project at Winzavod, as well as a dedicated museum to the medium in St. Petersburg as part of the Manifesta 10 parallel program. The crumbling post-Soviet suburbs of many Russian cities have become settings for creative and political debate without restriction, helping collectives such as Zachem (What for) achieve international success.

Exposed by Katya Krasnaya is a series of paintings created especially for exhibition at Erarta Galleries London and draws inspiration from the vulnerability of both graffiti street art and endangered animals. Like many artists working in contemporary mediums, Krasnaya demonstrates her ability to respond to contemporary culture whilst adhering to the rooted traditions of fine art in Russia.

Krasnaya’s robust use of contemporary Pop Art and graffiti spray painting coupled with fine art techniques pay homage to these colourful and venerable creatures, which have become the topic of international debate in recent years. Infusing these creatures with vibrant colours and curious tags, it beckons the viewer to take a deeper look at these magnificent beasts.

Generously supported by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Exposed by Katya Krasnaya aims to bring particular focus to the ever-narrowing gap between rural and urban landscapes and habitats. The exhibition can be viewed as a contemporary reaction to conservation in a constantly developing world. With more and more artists responding to the plight of endangered animals across the world, no more is this truer than in Russia, home to thousands of unique species at the mercy of expanding population as well as agriculture and raw material extraction.