10 Questions with Katerilian
Katerilian was born in 1997 in Odesa, Ukraine. A self-taught artist, Katerilian's journey into art began with a passion for creativity and self-expression. Best known as the creator of Morulins #Morulins_world, Katerilian's work captivates audiences with its unique blend of imagination and technique. Through oil and acrylic, Katerilian brings vibrant and intricate paintings to life that transport viewers to otherworldly realms. In addition to traditional painting, Katerilian showcases a mastery of illustration, meticulously crafting detailed artworks by hand.
While pursuing a degree in hardware design at Odesa National Polytechnic University, Katerilian continued to refine her artistic skills, blending technical knowledge with a deep-rooted passion for visual expression.
Today, Katerilian continues to push the boundaries of artistic possibility, captivating audiences with evocative creations that blur the lines between reality and imagination.
Katerilian - Portrait
ARTIST STATEMENT
In Katerilian's artistic practice, she weaves together fragments of diverse worlds — drawn from music, literature, cinema, personal experiences, the natural world, and interactions with others — to traverse the realms of her perception. In this creative exchange, new characters emerge, giving life to the intricate universe of Morulins.
At first glance, the unsettling and occasionally eerie visage of Morulins might mislead, but they are conduits, carriers of profound messages. They beckon viewers to peer beyond their surface, inviting them into a realm where fears and wisdom intertwine.
Through creating and exploring these characters, she embarks on a profound journey of self-discovery. Delving into the interplay between life's experiences and evolving perspectives, she uncovers the intricate dance between external influences and internal transformations.
This artistic odyssey feels akin to standing at the precipice of an exhilarating adventure, swept away by the current of creative flow. With each brushstroke or digital rendering, she navigates the depths of the human psyche, unveiling layers of meaning and understanding.
Morulin’s world, ink pen, 50x70 cm, 2023 © Katerilian
INTERVIEW
First of all, can you tell us how you began your journey as a self-taught artist? How did you first get interested in art, and what inspired you to follow this career?
Since childhood, I have been interested in various forms of creativity and constantly sought out new and interestingactivities. This led me to shift my focus from drawing to clay sculpting, then to dancing, and eventually back to drawing again. I am grateful to my mother, who supported my desire to try new things and never pressured me with the idea that I should choose a "more serious job," as society sometimes does. By the end of 2016, I realized that I wanted to settle on a profession and have a goal. I remembered that drawing was the activity I returned to most often. I had no skills, but I decided to try developing them and never turned away from them again.
At that time, I was studying industrial design at university, where we learned about welding seams. Not finding enough creativity there, I decided to experiment through trial and error and study various techniques and styles on my own. I always felt resistance when told how things should be done; I wanted to find my own way of doing what I liked. This path might be longer, but it is sometimes more exciting. Now, I can't go a day without drawing—it's as if it's in my blood. I am inspired by the idea of being free while doing what I love.
Beyond the boundary of space, ink pen, watercolour, 30x30 cm, 2024 © Katerilian
What were some of the key influences that have shaped your art?
As a child, I had a printed copy of Salvador Dalí's painting "The Poetry of America" hanging in front of me, and I believe it influenced my style — he remains my favorite artist to this day. Over 20 years later, I will be moved to tears when I see this painting in person at the Dalí Museum in Barcelona. My love for horror films, arthouse cinema, and Tim Burton's animations has also shaped my art. However, my journey into drawing began with children's illustrations. I enjoyed drawing cute, cartoonish animals for children's books. But in 2021, I met someone who inspired me to create my ownworld. Harry van Anderson is an incredible writer. He read me his stories and excerpts from his book, and I was soimpressed by how boldly he created something so unique. This made me realize that I also have something to share with the world. I started with simple character sketches that initially looked quite childlike, but gradually, they began to take shape and transform into the world of the Morulins. They became the perfect balance between my fascination with surrealism and horror and something more whimsical.
You work with different mediums and techniques. How do you choose between oil and acrylic for a particular painting, and what do you enjoy about each medium?
Recently, I have also started using watercolor. I enjoy exploring new ways to use different media. When it comes tochoosing materials, it's important for me to switch things up. I can get tired of working with just one type of paint, so as a break, I ask myself which material is inspiring me at that moment. I really love the texture of oil paint, which I use for almost all of my paintings. It allows me to convey deep shades and create a piece without rushing. I use acrylics for fluorescent paintings that glow under ultraviolet light — this need for bright colors is especially strong in winter when it's constantly dark. I take pleasure in creating vibrant scenes. My collectors from the far north of Norway purchased these paintings specifically to add something bright to their homes since the sun doesn't rise for almost half the year there.
Hiding behind anxiety, ink pen, watercolour, 21x29 cm, 2024 © Katerilian
In the eye of the beholder, ink pen, watercolour, 21x29 cm, 2024 © Katerilian
And how do you balance traditional painting with your detailed illustration work?
There comes a moment when I need to think about how to finish a painting, and that's when I might switch to ink pen illustrations. This allows me to stay constantly inspired rather than waiting for the right mood to strike. It's as if I'm always in an art supply store — when I enter the studio in the morning, I look at the paper, canvases, and paints and listen to myself, feeling out what I'm drawn to at that moment while also considering the series and projects I'm working on. This way, I achieve the best results because I'm always creating with strong passion. I believe it's not necessary to limitoneself to just one medium if there's interest in something else. I also want to explore sculpture, though that's not a priority right now.
Could you describe your creative process when starting a new piece, especially when creating the intricate universe of Morulins?
I have two methods. The first is to put the pen on the paper and let my hand reveal the world on its own; characters emerge so effortlessly, as if I've known them for years. Once, I did this during a panic attack and was surprised when I turned the finished drawing upside down — I saw Morulin there, suggesting they were somewhere in my subconscious. I see them in the uneven paint on the walls, in the contours of mountains, and I love making pencil sketches in my sketchbook. Beyond this, I incorporate personal experiences and realizations I've had throughout my life into the stories of my illustrations. I'm interested in people's psychology and observing how life changes when you alter your beliefs. In this case, I consciously create sketches and search for the form in which I can depict this, outlining the character's appearance and the objects around them.
Dualismos universalis, ink pen, 21x29 cm, 2023 © Katerilian
Shackles, ink pen, 21x15 cm, 2023 © Katerilian
Your art often transports viewers to otherworldly realms. What inspires these fantastical landscapes and characters?
Perhaps sometimes I want to escape from my own experiences into another world, so for me, the process of creating these worlds is a form of meditation. It feels as though I'm moving into a different universe where I can create my own reality. I'm interested in uncovering the stories of the characters; some are Titans who create portals to other dimensions of consciousness, while others are simple beings comparable to animals in our world. I feel a sense of duty to explore this world and share it with others — that's what inspires me, and I can't abandon them.
How do your personal experiences and interactions with others influence the creation of new characters in your work?
I believe that everyone we meet in our lives is there to teach us something. Sometimes, what bothers us in others reflects something we struggle to express within ourselves. At other times, we need to learn to assert our boundaries. Therefore, when I gain insight or emotion from interacting with people, I reflect this in my illustrations. One of my most recent works is a tribute to my relationships; it is the first piece so deeply personal, but I think it marks the beginning of a new phase in my art, where I can capture important moments for me, leaving them on paper or canvas.
What do you hope viewers feel or take away when they see your artwork?
I want viewers of my paintings to fully immerse themselves in this world, to be drawn in by the unusual characters and fauna. I hope they pause for a moment to contemplate and notice more and more details as they examine the painting or illustration. I also hope that seeing Morulins in various situations, they might view their own lives from a new perspective. I enjoy hearing that my work surprises people; in today's world, it's rare to be amazed due to the constant flood of information from phone screens. I would love for more people to experience my work in person, as it offers a different level of perception and allows for a deeper appreciation of the details.
Monsters aren’t under the bed, ink pen, watercolour, 21x29 cm, 2024 © Katerilian
Are there any new themes or stories within the universe of Morulins that you're excited to explore in your upcoming work?
I'm working on a series of oil paintings titled "Ways of Internal Metamorphosis." This series acts as a mystical guide through the space of the human soul. It reveals moments when we face decisive choices or experience inner transformations. Our thinking and perception of the world around us are shaped by the events that happen to us or that we choose. However, we can also influence these events ourselves by understanding how certain actions transform our reality.
In addition to this I plan to focus on the stories of each individual character, whereas previously I depicted the world as a whole. This approach will offer a deeper understanding of the world of Morulins.
And lastly, can you share any upcoming projects or exhibitions you're currently working on?
I've started working on a book about Morulins. I plan to create an encyclopedia covering the characters, flora, fauna, and even the language of this world. Additionally, there will be stories that provide a deeper understanding of each creation. This is quite an extensive project that will take time.
I also want to mention that I am creating a series of mini-cards, which I will send as gifts to each of my illustration collectors. These cards will be featured on my website, giving each collector their own unique Morulin. I hope this will help me connect more closely with my audience and offer them a greater emotional experience of interacting with my world.
Furthermore, I'm planning a series of exhibitions in Europe in 2025. I'll be able to provide more details later, so stay tuned to my social media for updates.
Artist’s Talk
Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.
