ABOUT

Shimova is a Russian-born and Miami-based contemporary female figurative painter, who weaves together classical techniques with a contemporary twist. Masterfully reimagining animalism as she infuses her subjects with her own language of spiritual symbolism and pop art influences, her work echoes with a deep reverence for the interconnectedness of all beings. Her paintings allude to ancient bonds between humanity and nature, while firmly situating us within the modern landscapes that shape our society, relationships, and world.

Shimova (Alina Shimova; b. Russia 1985)

A contemporary female figurative painter who lives and works in Miami, USA.

Traversing the interconnected realms of identity, spirituality, human society, and the animal kingdom with a distinct touch of contemporaneity, Shimova asks her viewers to rethink the networks of connection we inhabit. Whether it be striking hyperrealistic portrayals of feminine archetypes or anthropomorphized animals, Shimova’s work positions her subjects as cultural totems that bridge worlds, inviting a deep exploration of consciousness through the natural world’s wisdom.

Shimova’s journey as an artist began under the formal training of the esteemed Russian painter Mikhail Satarov which enriched her classical foundation, enabling her to master the techniques of landscape, still life, and portraiture. This disciplined foundation, complemented by an early education in psychology, set the stage for Shimova’s eventual turn toward symbolism and human-animal archetypes. Immersing herself in countless contemporary art museums during her early travels to the United States, she redefined her artistic path, steering her away from classical representation toward a bold, modern style infused with narrative depth.

Her global experiences—living in Casablanca, Cairo, Nice, and London—expanded her artistic vision, shaping her as a cultural nomad. Shimova has traveled through over fifty countries, each location enriching her perspective. North Africa’s geometric art, Islamic motifs, the elegance of French design, London’s dynamic art scene, and her exposure to sacred sites and indigenous traditions, including Machu Picchu, fostered her fascination with symbolism and the metaphysical, which she integrated into her compositions. These journeys built her expansive visual lexicon, leading to the recent emergence of her bold, dark elegance style of ‘humanized animals’—spiritual totems imbued with the inherent wisdom from Hindu, Egyptian, and other traditions. Through these cross-cultural inspirations, Shimova emphasizes interconnectivity and unity of life across boundaries, beliefs, and species.

Shimova’s style has evolved from vivid, light-filled canvases with a quintessential Pop Art touch to her current approach, as witnessed with her “Black and Gold” series, where she embraces a more serious, contemplative palette. The elegant tones intensify the narrative, layering symbols with contemporary brand logos to portray animals as modern archetypes. Her compositions honor animals’ ancestral connection to humankind, weaving modernity into the mystic.

Guided by a mission of environmental advocacy, Shimova aims to bridge the natural and human worlds, appealing to collectors and advocates alike. As a co-founder and former Vice President of the Union of Animalistic Artists in Russia, as well as an active supporter of numerous conservation organizations worldwide, Shimova dedicates a portion of her art sales to these causes as a commitment to her mission of honoring the profound, interconnected bonds between the natural world, society, and the harmony between our inner selves and the world around us.

Shimova’s work is part of collections internationally, including in the United States, Germany, Russia, and Dubai. She has exhibited at prominent art venues such as Art Basel Miami, the Qatar Art Festival, and the Pop Up Museum in Moscow, among many others. In the near future, Shimova plans to expand her presence across the United States, European, and Middle Eastern art scenes, seeking gallery representation and participating in additional art fairs. Driven by her mission to support nature and animal conservation, she also aims to collaborate with charitable organizations like WWF, Greenpeace, and 1% for the Planet through her art.

Artist statement

As humanity and the animal kingdom intersect in a visual dialogue, my artwork unravels themes of identity, spirituality, and the symbolism that grounds our navigation through a complex and shifting world. Shaped by extensive travels and cross-cultural immersion, my pieces are infused with a visual language that bridges global perspectives with a timeless yet contemporary resonance.

Transitioning from a vibrant pop art-oriented palette to something more poignant, elegant, and dark, I continue to uncover hidden internalized strengths and illuminate the challenges we encounter in reconciling with the state of our world.

I turn to explorations of animalism to narrate latent qualities, mysteries, and the nuanced interplay of power and vulnerability. Intricate symbolism visually illustrates human archetypes that speak to identity constructs that have become part of our everyday lives, allowing us to recognize a glimmer of ourselves in this new mythology of the contemporary self.

An evolution, a discovery, my work invites us to peer through the lens of the animal spirit as I continue to pursue the tension, equilibrium, and transcendence present within our enduring and interconnected bonds between the natural world, society, and the harmony between our inner selves and the world around us.

Exhibitions

2026
Equilibrium, group exhibition, MORA Art Museum, Jersey City, NJ, USA
2025
Hamptons Fine Art Fair, NY, USA
2025
Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary, Palm Beach, USA
2025
MASH Gallery @ Pacific Design Center, during Frieze Los Angeles, LA, USA
2024
Context Art Miami, during Art Basel Week, Miami, USA
2024
Women Artist Exhibition, David Banegas Gallery, Miami, USA
2023
Context Art Miami, during Art Basel Week, Miami, USA
2023
New York Art Expo, New York, USA
2022
Context Art Miami, during Art Basel Week, Miami, USA
2022
Collective Exhibition Benegas & Women Visual Artists, Miami, USA
2022
Artexpo Dallas, Texas, USA
2022
Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary, Palm Beach, USA

BEFORE

2022
«Immersed Ledania & Song», Florida, USA
2022
«Qatar Art Festival», Qutar
2022
«Immersed Ledania & Song», Florida, USA
2022
«Colors & Shapes», Group Show By International Artists, Florida, USA
2022
«Art Wynwood», Miami, USA
2022
Pop Up Museum, Moscow, Russia
2022
«Unique Russia», Moscow, Russia
2022
«Animal Art Week Biennale», Moscow
2022
«Wild World», Ivanovo, Russia
2021
«Art Basel Week Miami», «Red Dot» by Perseus Gallery, Miami, USA
2021
JM Art Management, Washington, USA
2021
Bruce Gallery, Edinboro, USA
2021
«Superwoman», MEMO, Moscow
2021
«Superwoman», Birds, Moscow
2021
«Animal Planet», Moscow, Russia
2021
«Superwoman», St. Petersburg, Russia
2021
«Unique Russia», Moscow, Russia
2017
«Art Marathon», Moscow, Russia
2017
«Art Geography Award», Moscow, Russia

BEFORE

ABOUT

Artist statement

Exhibitions

All artworks are original, one-of-a-kind pieces.