A surreal illustrated work of dark fairy tales

Alevtina & Tamara is an illustrated work of visual fiction that unfolds through a cycle of dark, surreal fairy tales. Blending intricate drawing, calligraphy, and text into a singular narrative, Dmitrii Skolzki creates an unsettling world of transformation, fear, memory, and the hidden structures of the human psyche.

Described as both a collection of noir fairy tales and a graphic novel, this unusual work evokes the atmosphere of archaic Russian folklore while venturing into stranger, more disturbing territory. Its characters navigate a labyrinthine world in which familiar realities become distorted, established patterns collapse, and the search for meaning leads through uncertainty and inner transformation.

The book is structured around five circles of a labyrinth: Birth, Worm, Eclipse, Freedom, and Amber. Each marks a different stage in the journey, gradually reshaping the reader’s perception of its characters, symbols, and underlying narrative. Hidden motifs and visual details invite repeated exploration, revealing further layers beyond the initial encounter.

With more than 100 illustrations across 230 pages, Alevtina & Tamara is conceived not merely as a graphic narrative, but as an artistic artefact in which imagery, text, and symbolism form an integrated whole.

Self-published in 2024 and limited to 300 numbered copies, this distinctive volume will appeal to collectors of unusual illustrated books, dark folklore, surreal art, and unconventional visual storytelling.