Alex Shnaiderman on Intuitive Painting and the Subconscious

Self-taught painter Alex Shnaiderman, whose studio sits above her family home, draws on Zen philosophy and Japanese calligraphy to create large-scale works that blend figuration and abstraction. In an interview with Elephant, she discusses her intuitive approach, the influence of her upbringing in Crimea and Israel, and her concept of 'swamps'—muddy, unclear color palettes that allow subconscious imagery to emerge. Shnaiderman has maintained a daily drawing and painting ritual for seven years, and her practice is intertwined with her role as a mother. She cites the magical realism of artists like Peter Doig as a parallel to her own work, which demands a slower, meditative viewing pace. Her canvases, up to two and a half meters, invite full-body movement and a gradual departure from initial references. Shnaiderman emphasizes tension over academic clarity, aiming to offer a different way of perceiving the world rather than a definitive explanation.