DARIA BALUTA is a Russian-born artist based in Cape Town, South Africa.
She began developing her practice after relocating to South Africa in 2008. In 2025 she became a winner of WorldArt10 competition with WorldArt Gallery, where she had her first solo exhibition the following year.
In her work, she explores the transformative qualities of epoxy resin and pigment, layering them to create vibrant, translucent forms that seem to melt into one another. Each piece reflects my fascination with light—how it penetrates the surfaces, reflects, and interacts with the colours, creating a dynamic interplay that shifts with every glance. This glass-like finish invites the viewer to engage with the work on multiple levels, revealing a depth that echoes the complexities of the mind.
Just as our brains possess remarkable neuroplasticity—the ability to build new neural pathways and adapt to change—her work embodies this concept of transformation and renewal. Each layer added to the pieces symbolizes the potential for growth, the capacity to reshape our thoughts and emotions. As sharp edges melt away, she embraces the idea of relinquishing control, allowing spontaneity to guide her creations. This approach often leads to magical moments—unexpected bursts of colour and form that resonate with the viewer’s experiences.
Her work serves as a reminder of our innate ability to evolve and adapt. By engaging with these layers of colour and light, she hopes to inspire a deeper understanding of the self and a renewed appreciation for the ever-changing landscape of our minds. Like the process of rewiring our brains, her art invites you to explore the beauty found in the fluidity of thought and emotion, encouraging the creation of new pathways toward healing and growth.
Her artistic process mirrors a state of introspection — a journey of getting lost in thought and then awakening within those thoughts. She aims to capture the fabric of reality as she perceives it, encouraging a sense of desolidification. In a world often burdened by narratives and past experiences, her art invites you to stop suffering, to heal, and to focus on the feelings that arise. By bypassing judgment, words, and labels, she creates a space where emotions can surface freely.
Past Exhibitions
02.04.2026 - 23.04.2026
What’s the matter, WorldArt Gallery , 68 Long Street, Cape Town, South Africa
11.05.2026 - 16.06.2026
Exhibit B, Peter Clarke Art Center , Vredenhof, Keurboom Rd Newlands, 7708
02.05.2026 - 23.06.2026
What’s The Matter (extended), Young Blood Africa , 70 – 74 Bree Street 8001 Cape Town South Africa
21.11.2025 - 23.11.2025
SA Art Fair, Ghuba Gallery , Hout Bay
21.04.2021 - 23.04.2021
Portraits, WAG Gallery , Woodstock
