Mirra Markhaëva is a Brussels-based visual artist and indigenous activist from the Republic of Buryatia (Southeast Siberia). She employs illustration, mural painting, and storytelling to explore her heritage. Her work weaves together elements of ancestor veneration, Buddhism, shamanism, and Siberian nature, while also addressing the challenges of preserving indigenous culture amidst Russian assimilation.
She delves into the (re)discovery of her cultural roots, amplifying the voices of her ancestors and confronting the impact of Russian imperialism on Siberia’s indigenous peoples. Her work blends traditional symbols with futuristic fantasies and predominantly features female mythological creatures, which symbolize a manifesto for a Buryatia free from discrimination. Her upcoming project, Dumpling Tales, will be featured in the Kunstenfestivalsdesarts in May 2024. As part of The Post Collective, she utilizes art as a platform to voice social and political injustices, particularly advocating for marginalized communities as an undocumented person.
Mirra Markhaëva
