Triumph Gallery presents a solo exhibition by Sasha Nestërkina, Weltschmerz. The title of the project echoes an established concept first introduced by the German satirist Jean Paul in his novel Selina, or On the Immortality of the Soul. The term describes a pessimistic worldview popular among early 19th-century Romantics. In Nestërkina's interpretation, it acquires a more personal and nuanced meaning.

The works presented in the exhibition form a space devoid of human presence, yet preserving its traces. At their core are found objects, ranging from everyday items to fragments of natural materials. "Intuitively, I collect various things, forms, and textures, which then come together in surreal assemblages—a form of visual poetry in which words are replaced by elements of both living and inanimate nature," Nestërkina explains.

Untitled
From the series Menu A La Carte
2022
Glass, concrete, wax, epoxy resin, shells

Triumph Gallery presents a solo exhibition by Sasha Nestërkina, Weltschmerz. The title of the project echoes an established concept first introduced by the German satirist Jean Paul in his novel Selina, or On the Immortality of the Soul. The term describes a pessimistic worldview popular among early 19th-century Romantics. In Nestërkina's interpretation, it acquires a more personal and nuanced meaning.

The works presented in the exhibition form a space devoid of human presence, yet preserving its traces. At their core are found objects, ranging from everyday items to fragments of natural materials. "Intuitively, I collect various things, forms, and textures, which then come together in surreal assemblages—a form of visual poetry in which words are replaced by elements of both living and inanimate nature," Nestërkina explains.

By combining everyday objects or their fragments with natural and organic materials, Sasha transforms the process of material decay into one of renewal. Although her practice centers on creating objects and sculptures within a post-apocalyptic landscape, ruins here become a source of inspiration and hope: new life can emerge from the remnants. In this sense, the stories Sasha composes through these visual forms remain open-ended.

Untitled
From the series Menu A La Carte
2021
Concrete, glass, wax, tin can

By combining everyday objects or their fragments with natural and organic materials, Sasha transforms the process of material decay into one of renewal. Although her practice centers on creating objects and sculptures within a post-apocalyptic landscape, ruins here become a source of inspiration and hope: new life can emerge from the remnants. In this sense, the stories Sasha composes through these visual forms remain open-ended.

Born in 1990. Completed the Contemporary Art course at the British Higher School of Art and Design in 2018 and graduated from the Joseph Backstein Institute of Contemporary Art in 2020. Has been participating in exhibitions since 2018. Works in sculpture and object-based art. Lives and works in Moscow.

Curator: Polina Mogilina

Virgin Lands
2022
Concrete, wood

Born in 1990. Completed the Contemporary Art course at the British Higher School of Art and Design in 2018 and graduated from the Joseph Backstein Institute of Contemporary Art in 2020. Has been participating in exhibitions since 2018. Works in sculpture and object-based art. Lives and works in Moscow.

Curator: Polina Mogilina