For me, art is a process, a journey from starting vision or idea, to some other reality, which is not always explainable. It is a form of communication, a way of expressing thoughts, feelings and drives, and sometimes it shows us a door to a different and altered world, where other rules apply, a world which is not dependent on time and space. My work is mostly conceptual and symbolic and reflects inner observations, presented through fantasy stories. However, on the other side, it also shows a path to some distant part of ourselves, which is sometimes very much forgotten. Artwork was exhibited at 'International Surrealism Now', the largest exhibition of contemporary surrealism in Coimbra, Portugal and 'Circle Seven’ exhibition in Bremen, Germany.

About the process: Through transformation of visual elements into complex digital composites, I found the way to show realistic sceneries of imaginable realities. It is a long and complicated process of carefully selecting and stitching hundreds of photographs, which I've been taking over the course of 15 years, and then combining them digitally with illustrative elements and digital painting. The moment I took those photographs, they captured something relevant for that specific time and place, and by using them in some other context and time, I think of them as a recyclable material. They start to exist as part of a new world in my visual interpretations, a world that exists somewhere between real life and imagination.

About the artist: Working in the realm of contemporary surrealism, Nikolina expresses her eerie visions through metaphorical presentations of an imagined story, by guiding a viewer on a journey through imaginative fictional worlds.

From dreamlike landscapes and fantasy scenery, to animal characters, as well as strange creatures and environments, she uses the subtle allegory with observation of inner conflicts and questions that arise from them, as a dreamy and vivid example of her personal experience of the world.

Her surreal worlds were noticed by Salvatore Ferragamo, for whom she worked as a sole concept and visual development artist, creating visuals for the latest campaign Storie di Seta. Visual interpretations of animal fables with profound detailed compositions in her signature 'Tale of the Blue Pear' series have been recognized by private collectors worldwide and luxury venues such as Seabourn and Marriot autograph collection.

Nikolina's work has gained multiple international awards and has been shown in numerous international exhibitions as well as several art projects. Her work was exhibited globally, in galleries and museums of Europe, USA and Asia, most recently being exhibited at an individual exhibition in Paris. Her art is also represented in various books, magazines and publications, including the prestige "Lexikon phantastischer Künstlerinnen" by Gerhard Habarta.