Parenting Series
by Iliana Sergeev

This collection is an intentional exploration of the chaotic, tender, and often humorous dimensions of motherhood, childhood, and community. My work reflects on the imperfect beauty of everyday moments, weaving together themes of memory and belonging through conceptual play.
By utilizing tactile materials like felt, plexiglass, and infinity mirrors, I transform the artifacts of daily life—from toy blocks to misspelled notes—into layered stories that invite a personal connection. These pieces are a celebration of the messy reality of the human condition, encouraging viewers to pause, smile, and reconnect with the universal rhythms of growth and creative exploration.

As this story evolves, so does the collection. ***My goal is to share these layered narratives through public exhibition; therefore, these works are not currently for sale.*** I welcome any leads or suggestions for spaces where this series can continue the conversation with the community.

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The Parenting Series

Minimalism Meets Reality

DESCRIPTION: This piece traces the journey from a calm, curated life—symbolized by soft, grey felt—to the beautiful chaos of parenthood. Duplo bricks enter quietly in neutral tones, reflecting the early illusion of control. As the years unfold, the colors multiply and the stories grow wilder. With the arrival of a second child, the cycle begins again. The final piece, a spinning Lego carousel, captures the whirlwind—joyful, messy, and always in motion.

MATERIALS: 0.75” felt strips, toy blocks and plastic toys

DIMENSIONS: 48” x 24”

Minimalism Meets Reality by Iliana Sergeev: A mixed media artwork representing the transition to parenthood using structured grey felt and colorful toy blocks.

Close-up detail of Minimalism Meets Reality, showing the tactile contrast between industrial grey felt strips and a vibrant variety of plastic children's toys.

Birth Flower

DESCRIPTION: A mirrored mixed media piece that reflects the visceral and tender transformations of postpartum motherhood. Layered over a blooming flower—an image often used in psycho-birth practices to help women visualize and surrender to the birthing process—I wove in the words JOY, MESS, CHAOS, LOVE, PAIN to map the emotional terrain, letting them form texture, asymmetry, and rawness. The pacifier becomes both anchor and tension: a symbol of new life, dependency, and silence, set against a body that’s forever changed. Through transparent, discharge-like media and red tones reminiscent of birth, this work honours the beauty, the rupture, and the ever-evolving shape of a mother.

MATERIALS: mirror with acrylic, acrylic panel, pacifier, standoffs

DIMENSIONS: 24” diameter

Detail view of Birth Flower by Iliana Sergeev, highlighting the reflection and texture of the mirrored acrylic and pacifier.

Birth Flower - A conceptual mixed media artwork by Iliana Sergeev exploring motherhood through mirrored acrylic and a pink pacifier.

Foravr Aylouyoo

DESCRIPTION: In this peice recreates a message my young son once wrote — a tender, misspelled note that reads, “I love you forever, Mama and Papa.” Layered onto the outer glass in his original handwriting, the message appears cryptic until spoken aloud, revealing its emotional core. Inside the infinity box, toys are arranged following the Fibonacci sequence — a symbol of growth, connection, and the universal rhythms of life. This piece reflects on the quiet power of meeting children where they are. It explores how connection is built through shared moments of play, imagination, and joy.

MATERIALS: infinity box, various toys

DIMENSIONS: 8” x 8” x 4.75”

Foravr Aylouyoo infinity mirror art installation by Iliana Sergeev, featuring children's toys arranged in a Fibonacci sequence to represent infinite growth.

perspective view of the Foravr Aylouyoo infinity box by IS Design Labs, showing the 3D depth, glowing LED reflections, and repeating layers of plastic toy blocks.

In Our Sorry, We Grow

DESCRIPTION: a layered plexiglass installation that reflects the humor, chaos, and tenderness of parenting while celebrating the imperfections of creative exploration. Inspired by my experiences as a parent and artist, this piece is a collaboration with my two young children, capturing the unfiltered joy and frustrations of our daily life.

MATERIALS: three 6mm layers of acrylic one with LED neon sign, standoffs

DIMENSIONS: 26” x 26”

In Our Sorry, We Grow by Iliana Sergeev: A conceptual mixed media artwork exploring the "messy" reality of parenting and growth through expressive typography and toy blocks.

Close-up detail of "In Our Sorry, We Grow," highlighting the tactile use of colorful children’s toys to form expressive, humorous lettering about the human condition.

Coordinates of Belonging

DESCRIPTION: This piece juxtaposes the past and present of Toronto's East End, utilizing a historical map to reflect the neighbourhood's ever-changing fabric during the early 20th century transformational period. The colourful toy blocks, which represent the growing social and cultural diversity, are positioned on the buildings and highlight the original sub-divided plots of land. A small heart piece marks our family home, helping children appreciate how the community has evolved while reinforcing their sense of belonging. The continuous addition of blocks by children mirrors the chaotic, ongoing evolution of the neighbourhood, where new colourful layers of history are constantly being built upon by new generations.

MATERIALS: 6mm clear acrylic, toy blocks, standoffs

DIMENSIONS: art shown 48’’ x 55’'

LOCATION: Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto (permanent collection)

Coordinates of Belonging by Iliana Sergeev: A conceptual mixed media artwork mapping the emotional geography of family, home, and motherhood.

Detail view of Coordinates of Belonging by IS Design Labs, highlighting the symbolic textures and materials used to trace themes of connection and identity.

Shows & Exhibitions

2026 (Feb) Curated Group Exhibition - Euro Tile & Stone Showroom
2025 (Nov) Private Exhibition - Wade Studio Loft
2025 (Sep) Northern Contemporary Gallery - Swash & Serif: Typographic Show
2025 (Mar) It’s Ok* Studios - Phantasia: Interactive Exhibit
2024 - present Michael Garron Hospital - Permanent Collection