about

rufina bazlova

Photo by Matěj Stránský
RUFINA BAZLOVA is a Prague-based Belarusian artist who works in illustration, social artwork, scenography and performance. Bazlova got a Master degree in illustration (FDU LS, ZČU. 2015) and a second bachelor degree in stage design (KALD, DAMU. 2020).Rufina gained an international profile for her series The History of Belarusian Vyzhyvanka / vyzyvanka.com /, which uses the traditional folk embroidery medium to depict the peaceful protests in Belarus in 2020.

The second wave of popularity came when in August 2022 the Ukrainian president Vladimir Zelenskij opened the week of independence wearing a shirt with Bazlova’s ornament.Specially for famous political Charlemagne prize in Aachen, together with artists Vera Sous and Monika von Bernut, Bazlova created the installation about three Belarusian women (Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Maria Kolesnikova and Veronika Tsepkalo) who got the prize in 2022.

In 2021 Bazlova together with Sofia Tocar founded a Stitchit group and works on burning socio-political issues using the traditional technique of embroidery as a tool of resistance and dialogue. Stitchit involves different communities and individuals into the creation process and blurs the lines of authorship. The current project “Framed in Belarus” is dedicated to political prisoners in Belarus.

The Artist is also known as the author of the fully embroidered comic Zhenokol (Feminnature), which explores the theme of feminism present in folk traditions.

Photo by Matěj Stránský
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