Leidari Dey (Elena Badasen)

Born in 1990, Russia. Currently live and work near Porto, Portugal.

I started drawing as a child — it has always been my way of understanding the world. From 2000 to 2004 I studied at a children’s art school, where I learned the foundations of academic drawing and painting. After that, I spent many years experimenting with different media and formats, developing independently. Over time, painting and drawing became not just a habit but a necessity, and the idea of becoming an artist grew naturally from this lifelong practice.

In 2022 I moved to Portugal. Traveling and discovering new places has inspired the series I am working on currently. The main topics reflected in my projects are open-mindness and accessibility and availability of art.

Selected Series

• Shining Skies (digital works, 2023–2024)

• Traveling Angels (paintings on canvasses, 2024–2025, exhibited in Porto in April 2026)

• Wonders Around Us (paintings on canvasses, 2025–ongoing, working title)

• Beyond price: art for everyone (paintings on paper A6, 2026–ongoing)

• Free will (paintings on canvasses, 2025–2026)

• Dark water (paintings on canvasses, 2026)

Selected Events

• Open Studio in Espinho, Portugal (30 November 2025)

• Exhibition "Ex Angelica in Anglicam" in gallery Catapulta, Porto, Portugal (4–15 April 2026)