Radosveta Zhelyazkova: an adventure, an opportunity to work together
ΔΙΑΒΑΣΤΕ ΣΤΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ
It's impressive how a single story can inspire such diversity through different mediums! Visual artists from around the world are taking part in WHISTLE project, in an attempt to present a multi-sensory experience never attempted before in the Greek visual art scene. And that's because we do not think of visual art as an experience that when viewed fades away, but as an excuse, a triggering event, a reason to produce an artistic conversation and a literal dialogue with everyone interested. This is the way we feel visual art should work.
It's impressive how a single story can inspire such diversity through different mediums! Visual artists from around the world are taking part in WHISTLE project, in an attempt to present a multi-sensory experience never attempted before in the Greek visual art scene. And that's because we do not think of visual art as an experience that when viewed fades away, but as an excuse, a triggering event, a reason to produce an artistic conversation and a literal dialogue with everyone interested. This is the way we feel visual art should work.
In this short article we meet visual artist, Radosveta Zhelyazkova, from Bulgaria.
Why did you decide to take part in Whistle Project?
I decided to take part in Whistle Project because I fell in love with the idea of collective storytelling! In my opinion the whole approach is magnificent and very original. I am very impressed by the idea of how one story/theme can inspire so many artists from all over the world. Artists that work on the same story but from their own creative perspectives. For us, the artists, WHISTLE project is an experience, an inspiration, an adventure and an opportunity to work together. To me this project is very emotional and exciting!
What intrigued you?
I was intrigued by the fact that I had to paint on a theme that was unknown to me, until now. My canvas is my imagination and usually I paint my own ideas, scenes and stories based on my mind, my thoughts and my emotions. With WHISTLE project, I was given an opportunity to make art on a scenario. In addition to this, I loved the story. The scenes are mystical, mysterious and enigmatic. The atmosphere of the last scene is so mysterious that any viewer would feel has been chased by an invisible power. This is what I was trying to show in one of my works, too.
I decided to take part in Whistle Project because I fell in love with the idea of collective storytelling! In my opinion the whole approach is magnificent and very original. I am very impressed by the idea of how one story/theme can inspire so many artists from all over the world. Artists that work on the same story but from their own creative perspectives. For us, the artists, WHISTLE project is an experience, an inspiration, an adventure and an opportunity to work together. To me this project is very emotional and exciting!
What intrigued you?
I was intrigued by the fact that I had to paint on a theme that was unknown to me, until now. My canvas is my imagination and usually I paint my own ideas, scenes and stories based on my mind, my thoughts and my emotions. With WHISTLE project, I was given an opportunity to make art on a scenario. In addition to this, I loved the story. The scenes are mystical, mysterious and enigmatic. The atmosphere of the last scene is so mysterious that any viewer would feel has been chased by an invisible power. This is what I was trying to show in one of my works, too.
What was your workflow?
I made three different art works using two different mediums on chosen scenes. Scenes that had the biggest impact on me. The first work represents a night scene on the street and its magical atmosphere. I created a city scene full of mist, darkness, tall scary buildings, bleary silhouettes.The second one, is a surreal painting. It is painted in oil colors on canvas using my unique style - full of bright colors and a lot of contrast. I meant it to be the project’s "talisman". My third art work represents the main character of the movie. The reason why I painted three different art works is because I wanted this exhibition to be as diverse and original as possible.
What was your artistic style, any influences?
I am an artist who is influenced by just about anything. My life, environment, kids, work, movies, stories, other artists, social values and the society as a whole. I think everything I see and experience in life influences my art in some way. I love many traditional art expressions like the simple but very attractive and colorful silhouettes and at the same time I am very attracted to mystery and fantasy scenes.
Do you believe in superstitions?
Actually, no. I believe in myself and in what I do to make people happy.
What do you want people to see in your works?
I want all viewers to feel the atmosphere and to live the story through our art, not just mine but also from all other artists.
What about the idea of collective storytelling?
In my opinion WHISTLE's approach is very original and I also believe that the idea of collective storytelling has the potential to attract many visitors to the exhibition. And I don't just mean art or movie lovers, but all kinds of people from any background. And that, because the project combines different forms of art. I also believe that since WHISTLE is an international project, a lot of people from all over the world will visit the show.
Why should people support this project? Why attend the exhibition?
International projects like WHISTLE always attract audiences from different countries. In this specific case any person who is interested in visual art, should attend the exhibition because this is a great opportunity to learn from the all participant artists. An insight to collective creativeness!
All the works created for WHISTLE project by Radosveta, will be available to the public during the transmedia exhibition.
Radosveta Zhelyakova captures the soft and natural beauty of the rural landscape and at the same time the cold and magical atmosphere of the city. She has close association with nature and love of the rustic life. Her hobbies include horseback riding, camping and gardening. Her family owns fields of lavender which inspires her choice of themes and objects. The artist has a series of rustic landscape paintings painted outdoors while observing the vast country lands full of flowers, trees, grass, straw, wheat and of course, lavender. She paints with oil colors on canvas and her art pieces are characterized with vibrant and bright colors which create a unique atmosphere. While being in her apartment, in the noisy city center, she enjoys painting cityscapes, where the main characters are rain, mist, mysterious streets and silhouettes. Some of Radosveta’s exhibitions include those at Art Gallery J. in Sofia, Bulgaria, Caelumn Gallery in Chelsea, Manhattan, Flyer art gallery in Rome, Italy, Ruse state art gallery. The artist was an international finalist, from the international art contest “The genius of women” 2016 organized by the non-profit organization “Women in the Arts” Inc., Orlando, Florida – dedicated to promoting excellence in the profession of women’s fine art; a third place winner of the International Art and Design competition, hosted by Art Academy Riaci, Florence.. She has participated in multiple on-line art exhibitions, shows and competitions all around the world. Her artwork is included in numerous private and public art collections. Some of them are: Art Academy Riaci; Triadiza municipality, Sofia; The regional administration of Sofia region, The National Assembly of Republic of Bulgaria and The National Radio. Radosveta Zhelyazkova has also created many commissioned works of art.