Interview
Livia Balu
Livia Balu is a visual artist, who lives and works in Clarens/Montreux, Switzerland. As an award-winning illustrator, painter, and engraver, she lives and breathes art - her raison d'être since childhood. Her work is prolific and has exhibited all over the world - from Romania to Switzerland, from Austria to France, from South Korea to Spain, and from Italy and China to New York. Livia has a natural talent that cannot be contained. She brings a unique gift of expression, driven by an innate passion and the desire to bring joy to others. As a consummate professional, she continually seeks to expand her learning - not only for her own self-improvement, but also to further inform how her art can help enhance the human condition. As an art therapist and teacher, she brings her expertise as an NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Master Practitioner to her classes for children and adults to help them stimulate everyday creative processes. Livia's personal evolution has been a dance of ongoing reflection, progress, and synchronicity. And there is nothing that inspires, motivates, and fuels her more than her profound love for the nature. Livia's work is rich, thought-provoking and sumptuous, touching the soul. She can turn a massive mountain into an intimate friend, and a modest cauliflower into a complex interpretive experience, creating deep connection and pleasure through her colour and form.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am a visual artist, illustrator, painter, and engraver based in Clarens/Montreux, Switzerland. My journey into the art world began in Romania, where I initially pursued a career in economics. However, my deep passion for art led me to a different path - I later studied fine arts at Visual Art School Basel in Switzerland, where I immersed myself in drawing, painting, and engraving techniques. Over time, I developed my own artistic voice, blending magical realism with shamanic and ecological themes.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My work is a bridge between the visible and invisible, blending reality, memory, and imagination. It explores the fragility of existence, the deep connection between humans and nature, and the spiritual dimensions of life. Many of my works are inspired by shamanic visions, mythology, and environmental concerns, serving as a visual reflection of the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world. My art often carries a message of awareness, urging viewers to reconnect with ancestral wisdom, their inner worlds, and the environment.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“My process is a balance between intention and spontaneity. While I sometimes plan my work, especially for engraving or mixed media projects, much of my creative approach is intuitive. I let the colors, forms, and textures flow naturally, allowing the artwork to evolve organically.”
“My work is a bridge between the visible and invisible, blending reality, memory, and imagination. It explores the fragility of existence, the deep connection between humans and nature, and the spiritual dimensions of life.”
Are there any art world trends you are following?
“I am particularly drawn to eco-art, abstract expressionism, and mixed media experimentation. I follow contemporary trends where artists use sustainable materials and ecological consciousness in their work. I also observe the revival of traditional techniques in contemporary art, such as printmaking and the use of handmade materials.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“I work with a variety of mediums and techniques, including: Watercolor and Indian ink on handmade paper – for their fluidity and dreamlike transparency. Oil and acrylic on canvas – for depth, layering, and vibrant contrasts. Engraving and printmaking – to incorporate historical depth and texture. Pastels and mixed media – to add tactile elements and experimental surfaces. Collage and paper cutting – to create narrative and symbolic compositions.”
What does your art mean to you?
“Art is my language of the soul, my way of translating emotions, memories, and dreams into visual form. It is both a personal ritual and a universal dialogue. Through my work, I seek to capture the essence of transformation, merging past and present, mythology and reality, material and spiritual dimensions.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“One of my favorite pieces is ‘The Egg of Origins and the Flame of Time.’ This artwork represents the cycle of creation and rebirth, inspired by ancestral symbols and cosmic visions. It embodies my fascination with time, mythology, and the interplay of organic movement and spiritual essence.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“In 2024, I had the pleasure of exhibiting in a duo show at the Montreux Cultural Center. This exhibition allowed me to present a selection of my recent works and to explore an artistic dialogue with another artist. It was an enriching experience, both creatively and personally, and the public’s reception was very encouraging. This exhibition is part of my artistic journey, where I seek to establish connections between color, emotion, and spirituality.
Throughout my career, I have had numerous solo exhibitions in Switzerland, Romania, France, Austria, and Germany, as well as extensive participation in group exhibitions in these countries and beyond, including the USA, China, South Korea, Italy and Great Britain.”
