Original artwork description:

"Regal elegance" is a radiant work of contemporary art by Irina BAST, portraying a beautiful young Black mulatto woman seated with quiet dignity, her hands gracefully folded on her knees. Her presence is both regal and introspective, emanating a calm confidence that captures the viewer’s attention and invites deeper contemplation.

The woman’s richly decorated dress is a masterpiece in itself—lavishly adorned with a mosaic of semi-precious stones (carnelian, jade, agate, amethyst, amazonite, rose quartz, chalcedony, moonstone, aquamarine, malachite, turquoise), rhinestones, and layered textures. Vivid floral motifs, glimmering beads, and ornamental patterns create a striking interplay of color and texture, echoing a sense of cultural richness and femininity. Shimmering gold, bronze, and silver tones dominate the palette, dramatically highlighting the natural beauty of her skin. Accents of green, blue, coral, white, and black punctuate the composition, offering a luxurious visual contrast that enhances the elegance of the piece.

BAST’s distinctive technique - combining gold leaf, acrylic paint, and a variety of mixed media—transforms each portrait into a modern icon. Gilded decorations, reminiscent of Byzantine mosaics, cover not only the subject’s clothing but also the elaborate background. This stylistic choice is a deliberate homage to Gustav Klimt’s famed “golden period,” reinterpreted through a contemporary, Afrocentric lens.

The mood of "Regal elegance" is one of reverence and celebration. It evokes feelings of magnificence, pride, and timelessness, elevating the representation of Black beauty into the realm of myth and legacy. As with all of Irina’s works, this painting is more than a portrait - it’s a visual tribute to the richness of Black identity and heritage, woven through a golden, transcendent aesthetic.

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Artist Statement

My artwork is a celebration of identity, heritage, and the enduring beauty of Black people. In this series, I seek to elevate the presence and dignity of Black and mixed-race women by portraying them through the lens of opulence, strength, and timeless grace. Inspired by the golden magnificence of Byzantine art and the iconic works of Gustav Klimt’s "golden period," I reimagine the past through a contemporary, Afrocentric perspective.

Each portrait is constructed with deliberate care and reverence. I layer gold leaf, acrylic paint, semi-precious stones, rhinestones, glass, and other mixed media to create textured, radiant compositions that shimmer with both history and innovation. These materials are not just decorative—they are symbolic. The gilded surfaces represent the intrinsic value of my subjects, whose skin tones glow against backdrops of rich gold, bronze, and silver, underscoring their natural beauty and cultural legacy.

The figures in my work are depicted with elegance and poise, their garments covered in vibrant, intricate patterns. Textures and colors—emerald greens, sapphire blues, ruby reds, and obsidian blacks—dance across the canvas, evoking both the richness of ancient tapestries and the vibrancy of contemporary life. The interplay of these elements creates a sense of power, serenity, and nobility.

My intent is to weave a visual thread that connects the sacred art of the past with the urgent need for representation in the present. These paintings are icons—not religious, but cultural—honoring the beauty, complexity, and strength of Black identity. Through this golden language, I invite viewers to reflect on legacy, visibility, and the redefining of beauty standards in art.

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About artist:

Irina creates artworks in a decorative style, likes to experiment with materials: mosaics, precious stones, glass, paints, texture, etc.

The artist participated in 23 exhibitions in the USA, Canada, Russia, China and Europe.

In addition, Irina was awarded the diplomas "Best Works of 2016", "Best Works of 2019", a special diploma for creativity (International Association VATIKAM, France, Paris) and has a letter of thanks from the Luxembourg Art Prize.

The artist has publications in the following magazines: Bonart cultural (Spain), BONART Cultural, Girona (Spain), CONTEMPORAIN (France), Woman (Russia), Objectsmag (Rivista online indipendente, Italy), Poramoralarte (Spain), The News God (USA), GlamourBuff (USA).

Irina's artworks are kept in the collections of ArtMuse Contemporary Art Museum (Russia, St. Petersburg) and Art Recycling Museum (Russia, Kaluga), Ecological Museum MUMUKA (Russia, Kaliningrad).

Irina's paintings are in private collections in 28 countries

#Renaissance, black woman, afro american art, african woman, dark skin woman, modern portrait, woman portrait, black skin woman, brunette woman, woman with dark hair, dreams, female portrait, wall art for home decor, romantic art, symbolism, mulatto woman painting, mixed media art, Klimt inspired, golden mosaic background, floral beaded dress, contemporary Afro art, decorative fine art, regal Black beauty, modern goddess painting

Materials used:

Semi-precious stones (carnelian, jade, agate, amethyst, amazonite, rose quartz, chalcedony, moonstone, aquamarine, malachite, turquoise), rhinestones. Acrylic paints, texture contours, relief. Base - canvas on a wooden stretcher

Tags:

#renaissance #symbolism #female portrait #golden painting #black woman #gustav klimt #african woman #black beauty #woman portrait #afro art #contemporary icon #dark-skin woman #black-skin woman #mulatto woman #contemporary african-portrait