by MK
Every Saturday we’re spotlighting remarkable local females who could change the way we look at the world. This Saturday is Viktoria Tsaleva’s turn, an illustrator, architect and an overall contemporary artist from Sofia, Bulgaria who has made Trieste her home.
How did you get into illustration?
Drawing and seeking the beauty around me has always been an essential part of my upbringing. In school I was fond of mathematics and logical thinking, which consequently led me to the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Geodesy in Sofia, Bulgaria. My specialization was Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, which gave me a different outlook on the historical value of our surroundings.
Great.
It quickly became evident, that I was not going to become an architect that creates entirely new spaces. I’d rather be someone that refracts and tries to make the best out of the already existing ones. Therefore, I decided to start working in the field of interior design. During the last couple of years, my focus shifted away from the minimalist point of view to the more post-modernistic approaches, such as the maxim coined by Robert Venturi: “Less is a bore”. Being a fan of pop art and contemporary art in general, I found a way of expressing my projects through illustrations and collages, instead of conventional visualizations.
I think it reflects in your illustrations about Trieste as well.
True. My first interaction with Trieste was in the late summer of 2020. It was a hot August afternoon and my boyfriend and I had just arrived from a 12-hour long drive from Sofia. We immediately went to Barcola for a refreshing swim.
The place to be in summer.
The magnificent view of the Monte Grisa upon the Karst and all the surrounding vibrant colors were a sure sign for me. I knew right then and there where I wanted to spend the next years of my life. Shortly after, we moved to Trieste. The people, their style, the buildings, the gulf, and the charm of the golden sunsets all bring such a wonderful sense of romance to the city that fills every day with beauty.
And we’re happy you did.
My latest project is the Belpaese posters, which will hopefully brighten many Italian homes in the future. This is also how my illustrations found their way to the pages and even on the cover of the winter issue of the InTrieste magazine.
