Arte Contemporáneo: Sibling Artistas Olga and Philipp Anaskin to Exhibit Together in San José

Next week, the Costa Rican art scene will witness a notable event as siblings Olga Anaskina and Philipp Anaskin exhibit together for the first time at Galería Valanti in San José. The exhibition, which opens with a reception at 7 PM on 12 September, brings these two distinctive artists under the same roof, offering visitors the chance to explore their respective works in a new light. The opening is open to all, and admission is free. Invitation below.

Olga and Philipp are proudly represented by MÍRAME Fine Art, an online platform promoting artists based in Costa Rica. MÍRAME fully supports this exhibition and welcomes inquiries about their work.

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Arte Contemporáneo Siblings: A Shared Yet Distinctive Journey

Though Olga and Philipp Anaskin share a common background, their artistic output has evolved in unique ways. Born in Russia, the siblings moved to Costa Rica at a young age following the fall of the Soviet Union. Both artists draw on their multicultural experiences to inform their work. This upcoming exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see how their individual styles reflect different approaches to universal themes such as identity, transformation, and the human experience.

Olga Anaskina: The Power of Abstraction

Olga Anaskina in her studio, 2023. Photography by Julio Sequeira.

Olga Anaskina’s art dives deep into abstraction, merging the real with the imaginary. Her work oscillates between landscapes and floral compositions, where everyday subjects are reimagined through vivid, emotional lenses. What appears ordinary—a flower, a hill—becomes a meditative exploration of time, memory, and beauty in flux.

Olga’s paintings blur the lines between what is seen and what is felt. Her flowers, for example, do more than celebrate nature; they transform ephemeral blossoms into dreamlike, ethereal visions, infused with notions of impermanence. Similarly, her landscapes, though grounded in the natural world, evoke distant lands and echo the memories of her multicultural upbringing, born in Russia but having lived most of her life in Costa Rica.

Anaskina’s arte contemporáneo thrives on contrasts: abstraction versus realism, control versus freedom. Her brushwork, often gestural and expressive, gives life to compositions that pulse with energy and emotional depth. The pieces are a direct result of her process—starting from found images in advertisements and magazines, she abstracts them into unfamiliar, dreamlike territories.

Olga Anaskina: Venecia, Palacio de Agua, Luna. Photography by Julio Sequeira.

• Landscapes: Olga’s landscapes transport viewers from the rolling, lush greenery of Costa Rica to the wintry stillness of Russia. Her technique—a blend of rapid strokes and enigmatic markings—evokes a sense of familiarity yet also mystery, suggesting places both real and imagined.
• Figures: In her figurative works, Olga often explores themes of femininity, eroticism, and vulnerability. The figures, whether nude or fantastical, melt into vertical streaks of color, existing in a state of flux. This tactile approach allows them to appear tangible yet fleeting, like moments on the edge of reality.
• Flowers: Her floral works, perhaps her most evocative, capture the duality of beauty and decay. These compositions are not just celebrations of nature's splendor but also reflections on life’s fragility and impermanence.

Philipp Anaskin: Embracing Transformation

While Olga Anaskina's work veers towards abstraction, Philipp Anaskin's approach leans more towards storytelling. A central element in Anaskin’s practice is his fascination with the human form, often portraying intimate family scenes or enigmatic characters. His paintings examine the complexities of personal and collective identity, inviting viewers to reflect on universal themes through highly personal imagery.

Philipp Anaskin, The Abductors, Oil on fabric

One standout work, "The Abductors", exemplifies his ability to provoke thought through surreal scenarios. In this piece, a group of boys wearing black glasses are mesmerized in a circle, completely absorbed by a virtual reality symbol, while the grandeur of the surrounding museum goes unnoticed. This juxtaposition highlights themes of societal disconnection and the power of imagination in shaping our experiences.

Anaskin’s influences range from the raw emotional intensity of Francis Bacon to the refined elegance of Russian Impressionism. His work often combines dark, unsettling imagery with a sensual, dreamlike quality, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

Through his distinctive vision, Anaskin offers a fresh perspective on the human experience, using his art to challenge societal norms and explore the complexities of modern life. His recent exhibition further underscores his commitment to pushing artistic boundaries, marking him as a leading voice in Costa Rican contemporary art.

Arte Contemporáneo: A Dialogue Between Two Voices

Though their styles differ, the exhibition creates an interesting dialogue between the siblings’ works. Both artists engage with themes that examine the human condition from multiple angles—Philipp through the lens of identity and transformation, Olga through emotional abstraction. Seen together, their works offer viewers a multifaceted perspective on contemporary life, blending personal history with broader cultural reflections.

This joint exhibition marks a significant moment in their careers, offering insight into how their shared past and artistic evolution interact in surprising ways. It is a chance to witness two distinct artistic voices operating in close conversation, each contributing their unique vision to the broader discussion of arte contemporáneo.

Why This Exhibition Matters

For those interested in contemporary art (arte contemporáneo), this exhibition is not to be missed not least because it's a chance to experience two prolific artists in Costa Rica who are steadily gaining international recognition. The exhibition at Galería Valanti provides a rare platform to engage with these two artists together, highlighting their individual strengths while allowing a glimpse into the underlying connections between their works.

The opening reception on 12 September at 7 PM is free and open to the public. Whether you’re already familiar with the Anaskin siblings or encountering their art for the first time, this exhibition promises to be an engaging exploration of Costa Rican and the wider Latin American contemporary art scenes.

MÍRAME Fine Art, an online platform committed to promoting Costa Rican artists, is proud to support this exhibition. The gallery welcomes any inquiries regarding the Anaskins' work and invites art lovers to explore more through its curated selection.