Welcome to the Bunker Questionnaire, a new series in which we ask Bunker Projects residents and exhibiting artists three questions from Marcel Proust’s famous Proust Questionnaire, a survey that purported to reveal a person’s true nature. We hope their answers and the accompanying photos allow you to get to know them and their work a little bit more.
Masha Solus primarily works in watercolor, with additional explorations in video art, installation, and writing. In her paintings, she seeks common ground with the world and people, finding moments of recognition in the reflections of her own vision.
Masha’s work delves into the fluidity of human ethics, the contradictions in perceptions of good and evil, and the boundaries between reality and illusion. She uses color inversion to invite viewers to question their perceptions, often drawing from family photographs to reimagine portraits and memories.
Originally from Moscow, Russia, and now based in Pittsburgh, Masha’s multicultural background profoundly informs her work, blending international influences with her current experiences. We are thrilled that she’s part of our 2024-2025 residency cohort and delighted that she agreed to answer the Bunker Questionnaire.
Describe yourself in three words.
“Quiet, funny, sad.”
Who are your favorite artists/the ones who’ve influenced you most?
“Marlene Dumas. An artist whose medium is also watercolor. She explores themes of identity, which is something I find interesting as well.”
What is your idea of happiness?
“In my view, happiness doesn’t truly exist. It’s always a borderline state, shifting between positive and negative emotions—it never forms into a singular vision of happiness.”
Photography by Anna Brewer Productions
If you’d like to support Bunker Projects’ mission to provide a safe, equitable space for emerging artists to develop their practice and create new works for exhibition, please consider joining our Bunker Commons program or making a one-time or recurring donation here. We are so grateful for your generosity.
