Artist Katerina Belkina (b. 1974) has often lost herself in daydreams the cosmos and space. It’s a fantasy to which many people can relate. According to a YouGov survey, 43% of Britons said they would want to visit the moon if they were given the opportunity and a guarantee of a safe return. In the US, more than half of people expect routine space tourism to happen in the next 50 years. Yet, space flight remains an exclusive business. It was once solely the domain of scientists and engineers, but recently the opportunity to leave Earth has become a focus for the ultrarich. Elon Musk’s company SpaceX has become a major player in the industry, whilst billionaires like Richard Branson and Amazon-founder Jeff Bezos have both taken suborbital flights. On 14 April 2025, pop star Katy Perry was part of a much-derided mission that lasted 11 minutes.
Belkina’s photographic series For All Mankind (2022 – 2023) democratises this select experience. The artist explains: “Our mind is its own universe, different for every single one of us. And in this universe, we can create our own reality, our own phantoms, which become the reasons for our decisions, for our action, and ultimately for historical facts. I dare to imagine that each of us can find comfort in our own imaginary space full of planets, stars and even galaxies that we ourselves have created.”
Belkina makes staged photographs with materials from around her house. She crafts strange landscapes from paper, stone and flour, in which solitary female figures gaze out of windows onto unfamiliar skies. Smooth pearlescent eggs hover above the ground, prompting questions about what is waiting within. In each image, there is a feeling of isolation as lone figures ponder seemingly empty environments and gaze upon wide horizons, almost as if they are confined to their room. Perhaps that’s the point of Belkina’s ethereal photography – they are a reminder that as we dream of space, most people will never leave the Earth.
The scenes are an opportunity to reflect on the wonder of existing on this planet: “I try to overcome my fears by focusing on timelessness and at the same time on the moment in its impermanence. We often miss out on being in the moment because we are so busy living our lives. But being in the moment is perfect for marveling at life. And being here reminds me that I can stop at any time; that any of us can if we want to.”
Words: Emma Jacob
Image credits:
All images courtesy of the artist.
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