Ksenia Mikhailova - BIG CHERRY
Ksenia Mikhailova is a russian-born photographer and artist, currently living in Serbia, that has developed a body of work deeply rooted in themes of nostalgia, identity and the complexity of everyday life.
She weaves visual narratives that explore both personal and collective stories, often reflecting the human experience within broader social and political contexts.
Big Cherry examines her emigration from Russia to Georgia in the wake of war and a shifting socio-political landscape. Over the course of two and a half years in Tbilisi, the project evolved into an intimate reflection on identity, belonging and the intricate ties between place, relationships and selfhood. Through a combination of poignant portraits and evocative urban landscapes, she documented her growing connection with her partner, the city, and the people she encountered along the way.
At the heart of Big Cherry lies the cherry as a central motif. The fruit symbolizes a bittersweet duality: sweetness and complexity, innocence and loss, hope and nostalgia. This emotional resonance underpins the project’s exploration of the transformation and contradictions inherent in starting a new life while carrying the weight of the past.
The project culminated in a self-published, limited-edition photobook. This tactile format offers a deeply personal and immersive experience for the audience, allowing them to engage with the narrative of displacement and adaptation in a tangible way.
Big Cherry stands as a profound exploration of identity, resilience, and the universal experience of navigating change. Through her lens, the artist captures the beauty and complexity of human connection, offering a poignant reflection on what it means to adapt, belong and carry the echoes of one’s past into an uncertain future.