Passion for art, wealth of colour: Yuliya Solomennaya's red and gold canvases

Gulf Today

13-03-2025

Yuliya Solomennaya was born Grodno, Belarus, in 1989. 'I began to draw from the age of 5,' she says, 'having grown up in a beautiful picturesque green country, in a city with European style architecture.' Based in Dubai now, she is an international artist who has participated in exhibitions in Belarus, UAE, USA, Greece, Mexico and India, among other places. She is a Guinness World Records holder (2022) as a participant in the most number of nationalities art event held in Abu Dhabi.
In 2013, she moved from Belarus to the United Arab Emirates. She works mainly in abstract in acrylic, oil and watercolour and is skilled in graphic design. She has been interviewed on television and been written about in leading publications in the Emirates.
Her community contributions include taking part in live painting events dedicated UAE National Day and Ramadan. She has also worked with children of determination and inspired by her life in Dubai, she has dedicated many artworks to the UAE.
She is known for her innovative use of gold painting within red canvases. She employs the culturally rich gold leaf and thematic gold elements, to create an interplay of colour and symbolism. 'In many civilisations,' says Yuliya, 'the colours red and gold have strong symbolic meanings.
Gold has a long history of being used in art to represent divinity and sanctity. It is frequently connected to riches, success, and grandeur. Because of its rarity and dazzling brightness, it is a potent emblem of achievement and spiritual enlightenment.
'Red, on the other hand, is a hue of strength, passion, and love. Red and gold together provide a visual language that evokes intense feelings. This combination may represent a variety of feelings and ideas, such as prosperity and celebration or passion and intensity.'
Red is traditionally associated with luck and happiness in Chinese culture and symbolises love and passion in Western cultures. In the East, gold, which is commonly connected to wealth and prosperity, also has spiritual meanings. Yuliya's work illustrates the psychological and cultural importance of red and gold. She speaks to Gulf Today.
How have Belarus and the Emirates respectively, shaped your art?
I was born in the Belarusian city of Grodno. This is an ancient city, it turned 896 years old in 2024; it is a city with European architecture and a picturesque nature. I am grateful to Belarus for the fact that I received a good education; I graduated from the Yanka Kupala University.
I was inspired by nature, blooming flowers and architecture of Belarus. After I moved to the beautiful and modern city of Dubai, my painting style began to change under the influence of Arabic flavour and modern architecture. My paintings became more colourful.
Why do you think red and gold are your best artistic mediums?
I was inspired to create my red series of artworks by Chinese culture. I made my first painting in this style before the Year of the Tiger, according to the Lunar calendar. A collector immediately bought this painting from me - which inspired me even more to create a Gold on Red series of paintings. My red paintings have a positive effect on people, bring harmony and love and perhaps material wealth to their owners.
Who are the artists who have influenced you?
Among modern successful artists, I am inspired by Takashi Murakami. His works are very bright and detailed and have a Japanese meticulousness.
How do you familiarise yourself with the art of the Emirates?
I visit many different exhibitions, events dedicated to Arab culture, horse races, Arabian horse shows and horse auctions. Last year, I visited the ADIHEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi, where I learned much about falconry, the history of pearl mining and the life and work of local women, dating from 50 years ago. I was so impressed, I painted a picture of a falcon in oil on gold leaf.
Do you think there is very little interaction between Emirati and expat artists?
Local artists support artists from other countries as well. We interact with local artists at exhibitions and events. Emirati artists are very friendly; they often recommend good exhibitions and local galleries.
What are the subjects in the UAE that are your artistic inspiration?
I am inspired to create 'holiday paintings'. I created a series of paintings dedicated to the UAE National Day.
Don't you think Middle East art is very poorly known or understood in Belarus? And vice versa?
In Belarus, there is a growing interest in the art of the East. Many artists and art lovers come to the UAE, visit museums and exhibitions and learn more about the culture and values ​​of the UAE.
I think less has been heard about Belarus in the UAE. But thanks to art bodies like ZeeArts which organises the Art Connects Women annual event, more people will learn about the culture of different nations. This year, I will represent Belarus for the third time there.
What is your opinion of the art of the MENA region?
I am familiar with the MENA region and I think that the future lies in the countries of the East and Africa. Many successful and talented artists from Eastern countries and Africa are known all over the world.
How will you be as an artist in 2050?
I see myself in 2050 as a successful, globally recognised artist.