Featured Artist
Biljana Petreska

“My art primarily consists of multimedia self-portraits. I specialize in conceptual imagery, utilizing traditional and alternative photography techniques such as scenography and light painting. My focus is mainly on the process of creating where I use imagination derived from emotions and materials specifically chosen to depict layers of the self while arriving at the final image. My goal is to share stories of vulnerability and resilience that make us feel accepted as who we genuinely are, a kind offer to provide a sense of empowerment to myself and the viewer.”

Biljana Petreska, a multidisciplinary artist rooted in photography, resides in Buffalo, New York, and was born in Skopje, Macedonia. With a rich academic background that spans a fine arts degree alongside a doctorate degree in pharmacy, Biljana uniquely melds her scientific expertise with artistic expression. Her chemistry, botany, and pharmacognosy background informs and shapes her creative process.

Biljana’s work has been shown in various esteemed venues, including Hallwalls and Burchfield-Penney in Buffalo, New York, and she has enjoyed publications in Nomad Art & Literature Magazine, JaamZIN Creative Magazine, and ArtistCloseup Magazine. In 2024, she earned the prestigious title of Roycroft Artisan in Photography. Biljana’s work is a continuous quest to push the boundaries of traditional photography and art, inviting viewers into her world to explore the profound layers of human experience and interaction. She often features herself as the subject, navigating themes of vulnerability, transparency, and a fragmented perception of the self and others. Her work invites viewers to a dialogue about shared narratives, fostering emotional connections that resonate deeply with themes of belonging and acceptance.

“My unconventional background has shaped my artistic journey by combining science and art. My initial studies in pharmacy gave me a deep understanding of chemistry and botany, while my subsequent degree in Fine Arts honed my creative vision. I meld my scientific and artistic backgrounds by chemically modifying materials and combining them with traditional and alternative art and photography techniques to fit my artistic vision.”

“Central to my work is the theme of transparency, which is emphasized by using fragile materials such as flowers, leaves, feathers, and glass that symbolize the delicate nature of human emotions and connections. I often modify these materials, transforming their structure and appearance to be translucent, and arrange them in ways that complement my photography. Combining these materials in compositions that convey my thoughts and feelings provides closure and helps me communicate and connect with the viewer. Additionally, I experiment with traditional and unconventional photographic techniques and my work often incorporates various media creating multi-layered compositions that speak to the complexity of our emotions. Two of my current ongoing series exemplify my approach. The “Bottled Up” series represents a message in a bottle intended to reach the viewer. This series features emotions printed onto leaves and feathers encased in bottles instead of a frame. Each piece is a metaphor for the selective vulnerability we allow others to see, with the bottles symbolizing our invisible boundaries and the stoppers representing the selective access we grant to others.

My other ongoing series, “Resentment”, is a mixed-media exploration incorporating charcoal, pastels, and spray and acrylic paint, in addition to feathers to express complex emotions. The feathers are used as subjects as well as tools to create the work; they signify bitterness and sorrow, creating a tactile representation of emotional weight. I strive to create an inclusive environment and celebrate authenticity through my art. By sharing my inner narratives, I have found personal healing and have formed connections with others who resonate with these themes. Art incites needed conversations to enrich our experiences and my work invites the viewers to embrace who they genuinely are.”

more. www.biljanapetreska.com

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FEATURED ARTIST

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