Interview
Juliana Kolesova
Juliana was born in Kazakhstan, and at the age of 15 she moved to Moscow, Russia, where she studied art at the Moscow School of Applied Arts. She also studied the History of Art.
After graduating, Juliana began her career as a painter. Her pieces were displayed and sold in numerous exhibitions throughout Europe. Since then, Juliana has worked as an illustrator and art director for various companies in Moscow, in both the advertising and publishing industries.
After relocating to Toronto, Juliana began a new career as an artist and illustrator. Her artistic abilities have been recognized through numerous national and international awards for illustrations and photography.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am Russian, but I was born in Kazakhstan. I don't remember the exact start of my artistic journey. What I do remember is that I started drawing from a very young age.”
What inspires you?
This question is difficult to answer unambiguously. You never know what might inspire you. It can be a conversation, a book, an unusual curve of a plant, a pattern of clouds, a spot of light falling on someone's face... An inexhaustible source of inspiration for me is human history. Not facts, but a cultural component, a reflection of history in art. Not literally, of course. For me, the cultural worldview is primarily contained, oddly enough, in applied arts and crafts. That is real mysticism.
“I don’t believe art is often intentional. It is not bound to be any one thing, nor should it be described any one way.
My art, while having a certain idea behind it, is free to be interpreted on a very individual basis and does not necessarily fall under a specific description, nor is it destined to be any one genre of art.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“In each artwork there is some thought; an appeal to the viewer. It can lie on the surface, or it can be hidden. My works, like those of many other artists, are a reflection of my worldview, my understanding of the world. These are the results of my observations of human society. Basically, this is my philosophy.
An artist is a receptive being, intellectually and emotionally mobile, and therefore there cannot be any one main message.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is definitely figurative art. Perhaps magical realism, with elements of expressionism and pop surrealism.
Through my work, I seek to create enchanting, curious and captivating art, which stems from a certain emotional, historical or cultural approach. I seek to balance real life with spiritualism; the elegance of classical art with a modern vision. I like to experiment and play with elements melting one into another.”
“The most brilliant creator is nature. Look, for example, at the iris flower. This is a real masterpiece! Man cannot create anything like this.
The artist can only try to copy, but he can never create something that would surpass natural creation. He will not even be able to copy, because the beauty of a flower is not only in perfect proportions and fancy colors. How does one convey the flutter of petals in the wind, the aroma, transience and variability?”
What artists influence you most?
“It is not even individual artists that have the greatest influence on me, although there are plenty of them. The energy of art accumulated over the centuries is what inspires me. Traditional art always has a deep philosophy and mystery in it. For example, African ethnic art, as well as their rituals, is very energetically charged. It undeniably makes a strong impression on me. Japanese traditional painting is an example of impeccable composition, harmony and tranquility.
I am also fascinated by late medieval painting, and Russian icon painting. If we talk about specific artists, these are Pieter Bruegel, Paul Gogen, Michael Vrubel, Egon Schiele, Mark Shagall, Grant Wood, and Rene Magritte. Those are the first names that come to mind, though there are hundreds of others. The works of living artists are also very impressive, such as Jenny Saville, Lisa Yuskavage, Dino Valls, Lita Cabellut’s beautiful portraits.
Everything that carries the strength of the spirit, talent, thought and intuition delight me. What exactly excites me the most? It depends on both life experience and momentary mood.”
What is your creative process like?
"It’s a strange thing, a kind of magic or alchemy. Each work for me is an experiment with an unknown result. It all starts with some kind of clue, a mental picture, or an idea. Then you feel an irritation, rashness, anxiety, impatience… Further, the mental picture begins to change and acquires details. Then a color palette and composition appear. After that, you just need to take the canvas, paints and brushes.
The technique is different for each idea. It can be a digital painting, oil or acrylic on canvas, or photography. Maybe later I’ll try to use some other materials.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I do not believe in any special role of the artist in society. Art is a process of self-expression of a single individual. An artist is not an educator. He is more of an aloof observer. Of course, art has an impact on society, but this influence is indirect. Art is just a mirror of the world, and the most truthful one at that - much more truthful than any history textbooks.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have shown my work in various exhibitions:
2020 - at 1313 Gallery, Toronto. ‘The Sky is Pink’, a solo exhibition.
2019 - Revolution Gallery, Buffalo, USA. Art show.
- TOAF, Toronto.
2018 - The Shadowood Collective, London, ON. Art exhibition.
- Elain Fleck Gallery, Toronto. Curator’s Choice Winners Show.
2017 - Elain Fleck Gallery, Toronto. Art Catalogue Exhibition.
- Elain Fleck Gallery, Toronto. Curator’s Choice Winners Show.
- SIGGRAPH International expo.
- Worked as a live artist at BenQ stand Los Angeles.
2016 - Double Vision Fine Art Portraiture, Toronto. Todmorden Mills’ Papermill Gallery
2014 - The Artist Project Contemporary Art Fair, Exhibition Place, Toronto.
2012 - Double Vision Fine Art Portraiture, Toronto. CAPIC. Image Works.
2009- Winners of XPOSE.
- CAPIC National Photography & Illustration Award. Artscape Wychwood Barns Gallery, Toronto.
- Double Vision Fine Art Portraiture, Toronto. CAPIC. Image Works.
2008 - Double Vision Fine Art Portraiture, Toronto. CAPIC. Image Works.
2007 - Petit Théatre Solo Exhibition, Toronto. ARTA Galler.y
- Vooruit! Dutch Innovation From a Canadian Perspective. Amsterdam Brewery, Toronto.
2006 - Double Vision Fine Art Portraiture, Toronto. CAPIC. Image Works.
!997 - Painting Solo Exhibition, Moscow» Executive Club.
1995 - TEATRO Painting Solo Exhibition, The Metropol Hotel Gallery, Moscow.
1994 - Fish is Blue, Painting Solo Exhibition. Solyanka Gallery, Moscow.
- Painting Expanse, Moscow.
1993 - Cent-Paradise Painting Exhibition, Moscow.
- Young Artists Painting Exhibition, Moscow.”
Website: www.julianakolesovaart.crevado.com
Instagram: @artforbooks
