“A person has passed through darkness, hell, light, hatred, and love. They have learned to make their inner demons serve them rather than work against them.”
ARTIST STATEMENT
I explore the hidden inner strength of human beings through mythological imagery and neo-Gothic aesthetics.
Mystical themes of death and transformation form the foundation of my work, allowing me to reveal the nature of my characters and examine hidden strength and will—the forces that emerge in critical moments. These powerful figures embody inner resilience, support, and the ability to remain whole through change.
The figures emerge from dark spaces into the light. Colour and pearlescent highlights soften the tension while preserving the physical presence and inner warmth of each image. Through a delicate balance of light and darkness, a sense of harmony is created, allowing the characters to be perceived not as frightening figures, but as carriers of archetypal meaning.
BIOGRAPHY
I work under the pseudonym Madam Mary. I was born on March 11, 1993, in Kaliningrad, Russia. I trained in architecture, but after working in the field for some time, I realised that I wanted to pursue a more creative and individual path. This eventually led me to tattooing.
Tattooing gave me a powerful creative impulse and taught me how to create images that reflect a person’s ideas, emotions, and inner world. For me, a tattoo is always something deeply personal, meaningful, and empowering. This practice also gave me the opportunity to work across Europe and broaden my perspective within the international creative community.
Around 2019, I began painting, gradually expanding the ways in which I could express myself. In 2023, I decided to leave Russia and move to the Balkans. The experience of relocation and the reflection it inspired led me to create more conscious and intentional works—pieces that carry an idea, a statement, and an inner message.
My work has grown out of personal experience, particularly moments when I chose to follow my own path, searched for inner support, and went through significant life changes. These experiences are directly connected to the central theme of my art. I explore states in which vulnerability and strength coexist, and where inner resilience emerges from the honest decision to remain true to oneself.
To date, I have participated in several exhibitions in Serbia. My work has been published in art almanacs, presented by online galleries, and acquired for private collections.
Contacts: madedismar@gmail.com, Instagram: madam.mary.art, Telegram: madam_maryarty