Fragments of Eternity
Nadezhda Norkina
May 20, 2026
Nadezhda Norkina was born in Gorlovka, Donetsk region, in the family of two teachers: mother is a teacher in a preschool institution, father is a judo coach. When she was five years old, the family moved to her father's homeland: to Russia, Perm region, Chusovoy, where she lived for more than thirty years. Childhood memories of bright sun and colors around are reflected in her works. Volume, color, characterization stand out in her work. Ten years ago she moved to the city of Perm, where she currently lives. At the age of forty-seven, she decided to express her creativity through photography. Anna Krauklis's school served as an impetus and set the direction for Art. To further explore the art and craft of photography, she joined Natalia Zhukova's photography school. The training continues to this day. During the training, she developed a passion for art history. All this time, Nadezhda has been a resident of the club of historian and art critic Alexey Pashkov. Nadezhda is also a resident of the club of retouching school Valentina Popova. Nadezhda is still searching for her own style, experimenting with light and constantly evolving in the field of photography.
This reminds us of the importance of being able to see the essence among the many details, and how a small part can tell a whole story.
Fragments of Eternity
The "Fragments of Eternity" series of art photographs is a unique journey into the world of classical painting, reimagined through the lens of modern photography. Inspired by the great masters of the past, these images invite the viewer to see familiar works through the eyes of a new era. The central element of each photograph is a young woman dressed in vibrant costumes consisting of colorful wigs and tights. These elements become symbols of the fragments of paintings, which, despite their limitations, convey the essence of the entire work. Every detail and every shade of color plays an important role in creating the overall impression and allowing the viewer to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the original. The main concept of the project is that even a small fragment can convey the essence of the whole. It's as if the person looking at the photo witnesses a moment when an entire universe unfolds in a single frame. Each image is a kind of riddle that invites the viewer to imagine which painting it represents. There are no direct answers, but there is room for interpretation and creativity. This is the magic of the project: it allows everyone to find their own path to understanding art. "Fragments of Eternity" is not just a collection of images, but a true exploration of the nature of perception and the power of photography to convey deep meanings through simple shapes and colors.
The inspiration was Mark Rothko's painting "Red on Burgundy" in 1959.
Inspired by Salvador Dalí's painting "The Geopolitical Infant Observing the Birth of a New Man" from 1943
This work is based on Edgar Degas' painting "Young Woman with an Ibis" from 1860-1862.
My interpretation of Vincent Van Gogh's painting "Starry Night" from June 1889
"In the footsteps of great artists..."
Behind these works lies a completely different story - a story intertwined with the centuries-old tradition of art. Only a deep understanding of the path that painting has taken and knowledge of the general outline of human history allow us to truly comprehend contemporary art.
Everything in the world is cyclical: having reached a certain level of perfection, artists inevitably turn to their origins - they draw inspiration from what has been created before. I began my journey with homages, carefully reproducing the motifs and techniques of the masters. Over time, I have learned to see deeper: not just to look at a painting, but to read it, to capture hidden messages and echoes of eras. Now, inspired by the genius of the great, I create my own work — not a copy, but a living dialogue with tradition.
The inspiration came after a lecture on the Little Dutchmen, and images imbued with the spirit of that era began to take shape in my mind. Only a deep understanding of history allows me to bring a character to life in a genre portrait with such authenticity, bringing a moment from the past to life.
This work was inspired by a folk costume that I came across by chance. I created it in the classical style. The soft features, the friendly, subtle smile, and the relaxed posture all emphasize the modesty, openness, and kindness of the peasant woman.
My work is art photography is born at the intersection of tradition and personal perception. The source of inspiration is history, fine art and the legacy of outstanding photographers. Rethinking their ideas through the prism of my own feelings, I put a piece of myself into each work – so the picture becomes not just an image, but a personal statement.
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