MEET OUR TEAM

LOLITA ROMANOFF - GALLERY DIRECTOR

My journey with art goes all the way back to my childhood. Born in Odesa, Ukraine, I moved with my family to Paris at the age of nine, where art became part of my everyday life. The walls of our apartment were filled with paintings — from abstract works and Cubism to portraits, landscapes, and even the occasional nude… after all, it was Paris! My mother, a Ukrainian art dealer, would often take me along on her visits to auction houses and treasure hunts through the Parisian flea markets. It was through these early experiences that I first discovered the works of artists such as Gritchenko, Malevich and Prymachenko.

In my later years, I was fortunate enough to travel and live across Asia, where an entirely new artistic world opened up to me. From Buddhist pagodas and Hindu temples to thangkas and mandalas, I began to discover how deeply art and spirituality are intertwined. Over time, we collected little treasures from each country we called home.

Once in Melbourne, my father and I decided to open our own gallery — a space where we could share our passion for art, cultural discoveries and the treasures we had collected along the way.

Looking back, it has been fascinating to witness the journey of Mystik River, from our humble beginnings in Brighton to where we are today. Who would have imagined finding a collection of Buddha statues right in the heart of Melbourne? And yet, we made it.

I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way, from our wonderful workshop hosts to our family, friends and the community around us. Following the debut of our recent exhibition, Ladakh: Race Against Time, we are excited to explore this direction further, collaborating with emerging artists who share our values and vision.

TARA JOY BAKER - Client Relations, Gallery Content Creator

Since I was a kid I’ve always felt connected to the power of art. There’s nothing quite like the playfulness of creativity and the wisdom of visual language.

Over time my connection to art has changed alongside my awareness of the world. I believe art is a bridge to a world beyond words.

This inspired me to complete a bachelor of Fine Art at RMIT. I refined my practice, moving my direction towards an admiration for sacred geometry and mandalas.

Today, I work for both Mystik River Gallery and The Melbourne Theosophical Society. I enjoy dedicating my time to learn more about spirituality, art and healing.

It’s been a privilege to learn in this nourishing work environment as I continue to expand my curiosity and skills. I feel proud to work alongside such a strong team of women who are all here to create the same vision together.

ELENA NEKLIUDOVA - GALLERY CURATOR

My love for art started back in childhood… when I first fell in love with the vibrant colours of Gauguin and Matisse. That early interest led me to art school, followed by six years at university, where I immersed myself in art theory and history studies.
After graduating, I spent five years working as a manager and curator at a gallery, handling local and international projects, participating in art fairs, and supporting charity auctions.
I am all about creating exhibitions that don’t just showcase art but tell a story and build that connection between the art and a viewer. For me, working at Mystik River Gallery is much more than a role—it’s an opportunity to contribute to society and the art sphere in meaningful ways. 

 

ROMAN ROMANOFF - FOUNDER