Reinterpret a classic painting

Katarina Sokolova modifies the composition from a celebrated Pre-Raphaelite work and brings the tragic character of Ophelia to life

Ophelia is reimagined in Katarina Sokolova’s art.

An artist’s life is one of constant challenges, and the biggest of them all is inspiration. Or rather, where to find it? Of course, there are plenty of sources that you can refer to, but for me the best answer is simply to look through the history of art. I’m always saying, “You don’t need to invent anything – everything has already been thought of!”

Over the years countless artists have created their masterpieces, sharing part of their souls with the viewer in the process. So if I feel the need for new ideas, I go to a museum and look at my favourite paintings. They’re full of inspiration, stories and experience that you can use in your own art. I’m a fan of fairy tales and legends, so for this workshop I’ve taken inspiration from one of the most incredible and romantic times of art history: the PreRaphaelite Brotherhood. This was an English group of painters and writers whose driving force was their spiritual relationship with the Florentine artists of the early Renaissance period. They used vivid colours and tried to create not just straightforward portraits or landscapes, but show the mood of the characters, bring them to life and make them speak to the viewer through their paintings.

I’m focusing on the most significant painting of the Pre-Raphaelite period: Ophelia by John Everett Millais. This famous Shakespearean character is a symbol of unhappy love, and the subject of countless songs, poems and paintings.

This workshop will reveal how I create my own version of Ophelia, visualise my interpretation of her unhappy story and give her a new life in the 21st century. I’ll use all my artistic skills to present a vision of beauty that will touch a human soul, and tell the tragic tale of Ophelia’s life and her immortal character, which will never stop inspiring artists around the world.