Dmitry Suhov: “An artist is not just a creator, but a channel”

There’s no traditional narrative in Dmitry Suhov’s work. His visual language is abstract, yet emotionally lucid. He paints in a meditative state, transforming inner experiences into color and form. His art goes beyond mere aesthetics; it becomes a sensory dialogue, something viewers don’t just see, but feel. In this interview, Suhov reflects on finding his voice, navigating the tension between chaos and order, and how Dubai became a catalyst for transformation and personal growth.

Much of your work is rooted in abstraction, yet it seems to speak a quiet, almost spiritual language. What do you think connects people to your art?

I paint from a place of deep emotion, my inner state is always the starting point for each piece. Before touching the canvas, I ground myself in stillness and gratitude. It’s a kind of silent prayer, a meditative act that gradually becomes movement and color. When I create from that space, viewers often tell me they feel an unexpected calm or warmth radiating from the work. That emotional resonance that healing energy may not be visible, but it’s felt. And that, to me, is the true connection.

How did you find your voice in a world saturated with noise and trends? How did you move through periods of feeling unheard, and what helped you stay true to your vision?

My voice wasn’t shaped by external validation, but by an inner pull—something subconscious and persistent. At times, I felt as though I lived in a parallel world, one accessed only through color and form. There were moments of rejection—when galleries passed me over or people questioned my path but I held onto what felt real: raw, unfiltered emotion translated into layers of texture and bold strokes. Even when it felt isolating, that inner world continued to guide me.

Your influences range from Malevich’s philosophical minimalism to Pollock’s explosive emotionality. How do you reconcile such different energies in your own work? What balance do you seek between chaos and order, between intuition and structure?

Chaos and I don’t coexist well. Some might see spontaneity in my work, but for me, every stroke is intuitively directed toward balance. I draw from Pollock’s emotional intensity and Malevich’s restraint, but I’m always searching for the middle ground where emotion is clear, but not chaotic. Color and form must breathe together, creating a visual rhythm that only becomes fully visible when you take a step back.

What is the role of the artist in today’s world, not only as a creator, but as a human being responding to the world’s deeper needs?

The role of the artist is timeless and perhaps more vital now than ever, in a world overwhelmed by distraction. We open doors to the subconscious, awaken dormant thoughts, and stir something within. Art has the power to pull someone from numbness into presence, from disconnection into reflection. I once had someone tell me they stood before one of my works and cried, not knowing why. That, to me, is the silent language of healing. In a world obsessed with surfaces, we remind people of their depth.

Dubai is a crossroads of cultures and contrasts. How has this city influenced your creative process?

Dubai has impacted me in profound and unexpected ways. At first, the pace of life and emphasis on innovation and commercial success made me question how my work fit in. But over time, I began to sense the city’s hidden layers: its cultural richness, spiritual undertones, and constant reinvention. That duality began to reflect my own journey. It challenged me to go inward, to trust the value of honest, emotional expression. Being in Dubai became a turning point and it reminded me to stay true to my voice, and to keep creating from a place of authenticity, even in a world that’s constantly shifting.