Artist in Social Justice

Alayla Martin • 27 October 2022

Artist in Social Justice

“As You Wish” is a display of one’s devotion to their higher self, heeding the call of a higher force. Although there is a mischievous smirk, it is not inherently bad. The late congressman John Lewis used the phrase “good trouble”, that is the mission this individual is on. To the right of their eye is a galaxy outline that resembles a feature on the eye of Horus, the mythological Egyptian symbol of protection from malevolent forces. The pink skin, and glowing tribal scarring shows this individual, although with human features it is not just human. My work is to expose others to a world unseen through a modern lense.


This piece “As You Wish” addresses social justice and the pursuit of it. Social justice includes each person within all societies. Each of us has a role to play, no role is too big or too small. Whether this is intrinsically known or come into, sort of speak. Pursuing social justice is not bound to a role, title, or position. In every revolution, every citizen adds their expertise and innate ability to aid in reaching a common goal. Our power as individuals amounts to much more, together. In the book The Aquarian Conspiracy: Personal and Social Transformation (in the 1980’s) in Our Time by Marilyn Ferguson it is said that “A revolution, as we shall see, is first visible in tendencies, altered behavior and trends that are easily misunderstood, explained within the context of the old paradigm as something they are not. And to confuse matters further, those who do not understand their basis in an inner turnabout. All revolutions attract mercenaries, thrillseekers, and the unstable as well as truly committed.” In today’s time we are pushing forth a collective revolution of human society that began in the late 60’s, arguably decades prior to and the human spirit is the driver. America is a fairly new society in comparison to the spiritual development of other regions. And we are like none other despite the trauma. The “hippies'' and psychedelic experiments in the modern west, the Black Panthers and their breakfast programs, the rock bands and artists making it possible to create a space where one could be free in their expression, and the student councils organizing protests; what growth we have today took a collective of all kinds of people for us to exist as we do. In a world where division is created for bigotry and greed, we must realize a change that will be everything for the generations to come and will be brought to fruition with every individual, in every community playing their part. Artists may find little difficulty with such change because it is innately what we endure when beginning a new piece of work. Throughout the process ideas evolve, the vision is constantly altered. The perspective once finished expands beyond our initial understanding. Fantasy leads to reality, we see it then bring it to life. The more we speak with others about our work the more we transform, the same goes for leaders in any field, in any position. Therefore, artists of all mediums have a responsibility to reflect the times as the late Nina Simone once said, “it is an artist’s duty”. In every era, in every time period art helped to push society along through challenging times. Even if you choose not to speak, your art is a reflection of what you see in the world. It is a powerful mirror, it is a powerful tool and we possess it.


To quote Marilyn Ferguson,


“The power of flexibility allows the potential opponent to become part of the solution to the problem, much as the practitioner of aikido flows with the energy of an opponent. This political aikido channels energy into an intended direction, in part by identifying the needs of the potential adversaries. It helps these adversaries transition, whereas frontal attack hardens their position.” Aikido is the practice of mastering oneself instead of cultivating violence. The artist's mind is a middle ground, an inbetween, a contradiction, an agitator and a dreamer. What is reality without a dream?

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by Angelo Asaro: 4 June 2025
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Elitza, you‘ve been working as a photographer in Berlin for some time. You were born and raised in Bulgaria. You studied art and cultural studies at Berlin‘s Humboldt University and later worked for a long time as a graphic designer. It doesn‘t sound like a straightforward path. Have images always been important to you? Images have accompanied me my entire life. I was fortunate enough to grow up in an art- loving house in Sofia, where – despite the socialist economy of scarcity – there were art albums, books, and conversations about art. As an art history student in Berlin, I learned to analyse images. As a graphic designer, I had to interact with other people‘s photos and my own. As a photographer, I often find myself standing in front of my many photos and have to make a selection, evaluate them, and choose the best ones. When did you discover photography? I took my first course at the adult education centre in Berlin at the age of 18 and then set up a lab for analogue black-and-white photography. Unfortunately, photography remained only latent in my life for a long time. I can‘t describe it, but somehow I was afraid to fully im- merse myself in it. During my studies, I pursued it as a hobby, then as a freelance journalist, I illustrated my newspaper articles with my photos, later – as a graphic designer – I used my photos in projects, and finally, I enjoyed documenting my children‘s development… but for a long time, I couldn‘t fully commit to photography. That changed when I started dancing at the age of 40. Through dance, many blockages disappeared, and many dormant life projects emerged. Personal contact with dancers and participating in their work also inspired me to intensify photography. It was clear to me that at my age, I wouldn‘t reach great heights as a dancer, but that I could certainly live out my fascination for dance and movement through the camera. I developed my skills in dance photography and experimented with a wide variety of photographic techniques. After my first exhibition, "Fascination Movement," in 2020, I was confronted with the question of whether I wanted to continue practicing photography as a craft or work more artistically. Well, the latter is more my style. Why did you choose photography as a medium of expression? My mind was always full of images. Even as a child, I spent long evenings in bed with my eyes closed, imagining, producing images, and arranging the world the way I wanted it to be. I also loved painting and drawing, but I‘m very impatient and need a faster medium to realize my ideas. In addition, I‘m particularly interested in fragile and fleeting states, such as movement, water, and lighting. With a camera, I can give permanence to the ephemeral. I believe, if you approach the topic from a depth psychological perspective, photography was a remedy for a great fear of loss within me. This fear arose when I came to Berlin in the 1980s, when an entire world—Bulgaria—was lost to me. But the universal human fear of our transience also plays a role here. For me, the camera is a kind of magic wand that allows me to control time and, if I wish, stop it. In my exhibition "Time - Structure“ (2024), I illustrated this phenomenon using motion photography – with short exposure times, I freeze time; with long exposures, I show the traces of movement and duration; with multiple exposures, I demonstrate simultaneity; and with stroboscopic effect photography, I dissect the moment into fragments and capture them in a single image. I accept the challenge of depicting movement and allowing it to continue to have an impact through a static medium like photography. Nevertheless, the fear of loss and transience is not the only driving and determining factor in my photography. It is also a great joy to capture transformations and changes. In my series „Berlin as a Water Reflection,“ I photograph the "eternal“ buildings on the Spree—the palace, the cathedral, the Pergamon Museum, etc.—in diverse variations and appearances as transient water reflections. And in dance images, such as "In the Flow of Time,“ I capture traces of movement—unique moments that no one else has seen or can see.
by Glafira Kotova 15 May 2025
What theme do you feel runs like a red thread through all of your work? 
It’s hard to single out just one, but at the core is definitely my desire to show the world in all its forms — as I see it. Through light, through movement, through rhythm. I want to express what matters to me at a given moment, my constant fascination with people, nature, and the city I live in. Sometimes circumstances push me to reflect philosophically. That’s when more unexpected pieces emerge, even for me. This year I’ve been focused on nature — painting the subjects I love most: animals and the natural world. So, would you say that a deep love of life is your driving force? 
Yes, I really believe people should strive for constant growth — and for that, you need a positive direction. Of course, it’s not possible to always be in high spirits, but keeping your thoughts on an optimistic track helps move forward. Inspiration fuels the creative process, but success also requires discipline and hard work. Do you work in bursts or to a schedule, even when the muse is silent? 
I just start painting, thinking, working. Inspiration comes during the process — and my muse is always there. Sometimes quiet, but always present. I’m a very hard-working person. I don’t need much sleep, and art gives me energy. Exhibiting and creating recharge me, like I’ve added more hours to the day. Artists, like musicians, need daily practice — like vocal warm-ups for singers. When inspiration and the right emotional mood align, the result is something truly special, and the viewer can feel that surge in the work.
At art school, we were taught that after finishing a major piece, you should grab a small canvas and do a quick sketch. The difference between the two is striking — the first is calculated, the second pure emotion. Your colour palette is full of life — that’s immediately noticeable. 
I do love vibrant colours. I’ve tried working in more muted, monochrome tones, but they don’t give me the same thrill once finished — they don’t stir strong emotions. That’s why I’m not fond of watercolour. It feels too subdued, lacking in energy. I want an explosion of colour and emotion. A painting should make you want to hang it on your wall — to bring joy and positive energy into the space.
I create for people who are drawn to beauty. It’s important to me that my art feels relatable, something people connect with — not just a future investment in a promising artist, but something personal. Maybe that’s how my inner rebellious streak comes out in my work. Sometimes I’ll start a loose, expressive underpainting and love it so much it feels like a shame to tidy it up. You’ve taken part in numerous exhibitions in the UK, including solo shows. What are your goals as an artist moving forward? I’d like to exhibit more often not only in the UK but also across Europe and the US — ideally joining smaller themed exhibitions every six months, and holding solo shows every couple of years. I’m also planning to launch my own art project where fellow artists and I will create themed works across various media and styles, and host large-scale collaborative events. I love engaging with people and inviting them into the creative process. So you're hoping to take on the role of curator? To organise and shape the project yourself? 
Exactly — to develop the theme, write the concept, and produce a catalogue. It could include small sculptures, mosaics — we could bring in artists from different disciplines through open calls. And it would be amazing to take the project on tour around the country!