Doi Coimbra

Doi Coimbra • 30 December 2023

Always passionate about photography and fascinated by the aesthetics of things, self-taught, i began to take a concrete interest in a specific style of painting, that of abstract painting, in particular (but not only) pouring and fluid art. This scenario has always attracted me, to the point of seduction. Seeing in the lines, shading, contrasts, shapes and images apparently without order and meaning, an interesting context and way to give shape, through a subjective interpretation, to one's own imagination and unconscious. Since it is abstract painting, what can be seen in my canvases obviously should not be subjected to an analysis that seeks, in the observed elements, forms or meanings that must necessarily be reconnected to something specific existing in the real world.

The combination of abstract art and mind leads us to consider the artwork an inner element, corresponding to the expression of the artist’s soul, which rekindles in the observer both an immaterial condition of empathy and also a dimension that matches the material form capable of expressing that vibration. Different aspects of the actual form move into a secondary position, with respect to the essentialness of the emotional communication. To simplify, we can state that abstract art is capable of generating emotional vibrations that, as in the case of sounds, can produce an emotional response even without telling a story. So, those who observe, whether they are aware or not, facing a series of stimuli originating from the combination of colours and shapes, react emotionally, It’s fair to say that based on this and depending on the circumstance, these passages and reactions can be experienced by the viewer in a conscious or unconscious way. Starting from this justification we can take inspiration for another interesting consideration about this topic. In fact, considering the two classic groups of observers, i.e. those who are involved in abstract art and those who remain indifferent to it, we hear that to not appreciate the beauty of abstract painting is based on the inability to interpret lines, shapes, shades and colours on the canvas; this could generate a disinterest for the painting (there is no need, but let us remember: obviously personal taste leads to specific interests and preferences, and so it is also for figurative art).

However, an increasingly held belief is that abstract art brings certain advantages for those who are connoisseurs; for example, its ability to mentally influence seems objective. In fact, scientific studies would confirm that it has an effect on our general cognitive state and is able to change the way we consider events and make choices, tending to evoke a certain “psychological distancing”. By psychological distancing we mean the subjective space that we perceive between ourselves and things, events, or people; it is an experience of separation based on an egocentric nature, where we become the point of reference from which we see things in perspective. Implementing a psychological distance, according to the field of psychology, makes us more inclined to recognize the limits of our knowledge, as well as to accept the probability of future change, making us more self-aware, flexible, and open to uncertainty.

Tianyun Zhao: Gentle Rebellions in a Digital Age

by Tianyun Zhao • 30 October 2025
London-based moving image artist and photographer Tianyun Zhao (Yano) creates works that drift between stillness and transformation, where memory becomes light and time turns tactile. Her practice navigates the intersections of image, perception, and identity, revealing how the digital age reshapes our sense of the self and the spaces we inhabit. Drawing from Eastern philosophy and the rhythms of urban life, Zhao constructs visual worlds that exist between reality and imagination — contemplative yet quietly rebellious. Through the fusion of lens-based imagery, AI-generated fragments, and fashion-inflected aesthetics, she invites viewers into atmospheres where emotion and technology merge in a delicate equilibrium. “I see my work as a dialogue between the visible and the invisible — a meditation on how we remember, and how we are remembered,” Zhao reflects. Expanding the Language of Moving Image Zhao’s practice has been presented internationally across galleries, festivals, and digital platforms. Her recent exhibitions include Field of Clarity at Photofusion Gallery (London, 2025), Broken Silence at Summerhall – In Vitro Gallery (Edinburgh, 2025), The Green Grammar Exhibition at art’otel Hoxton Gallery (London, 2025), and Fragments of the Past, Futures Unfolding at Normanou 3 (Athens, 2025). She also participated in Video Edition ArtIn as part of The Wrong Biennale (London, 2025), a globally recognised platform for digital and post-internet art. Zhao’s work has appeared in publications such as Artist Talk Magazine (Issue 39, 2025) and Viridine Literary Issue 03 (UK, 2025), reflecting her expanding presence in both gallery and online contexts. 

Nyll Axis

by Nyll Axis • 27 October 2025
Nyll Axis is the pseudonym of an artist who prefers to remain incognito. His paintings emerge as nameless presences moving through shifting layers of perception. There are no stories, no time — only appearances and disappearances. What remains are abstract glyphs with the illusion of meaning: thresholds, lines, dissolving architectures. These are not narratives but signals, pointing beyond knowledge toward the vanishing wall of the self.

Hollow Mountain

by Ziyi Huang • 30 September 2025
Ziyi Huang is a Chinese oil painting artist. His recent works are mainly landscapes inspired by his travels. He received Bachelor's and Master's degrees from China Academy of Art, where he is now studying for a Doctoral degree. He participated in an artist residency at Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, France from 2018-2019, and studied at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, USA as an international exchange student in 2024. His paintings have been exhibited in China, Japan, France, UK, Canada, Italy and Latvia, and he has held solo exhibitions in Hangzhou and Xiamen, China. He is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA), International Council of Visual Arts (ICVA), 90' Creative Art Society, Zhejiang Artists Association and Zhejiang Association of Oil Painters. 

Daniel Agra

by Daniel Agra • 7 September 2025
Daniel Agra is Spanish artist of abstract and fine art photography. In the artistic field his work is defined as subjective, experimental and conceptual expressionist visual poetry, with a profound imaginative capacity and endowed with strong intuition. Defined by a resounding individual and experimental personal mark that allows him to mentally project a great deal of his compositions with a language and style full of symbolism. The defined perception and emotional depth of his work should be highlighted reflecting his interest in the subconscious, abandoned methods, dialogues and conventional and traditional photographic narratives which transcend their state to be symbolised in a deep analysis, to be recreated into a poetic frontier between the material and the spiritual, between man and the environments he inhabits, distinctive elements that emphasise the communicative character in his allegorical symbology and relative to the inner world, raising it to levels of evocative spirituality in transcendental and vindictive themes, on the existential importance of the individual in his creative freedom, a personal form of contemporary expression that does not bow to the established norms, an archetype through a vocabulary with meticulously selected images and iconographies. Over time, his works have achieved wide appreciation, recognition and international dissemination. The more than 50 awards and international honour mentions of photography that he has achieved during his career should be emphasised, he has shown his work and participated in exhibitions across various countries, as well as published in assorted media and international art guides. His work can be found in national and international museums, foundations and private art and photography collections. 

Mary Joy Manuel

by Tension & Release: A Spontaneous Series Born from Stillness • 10 August 2025
This ten-piece body of work, created on fine art paper (21 x 14.5 cm), explores the emotional and societal tensions that shape our collective experience. Using acrylics, graphite, and charcoal pencils, each painting captures dynamic movement through vibrant palettes—juxtaposing warm and cool tones to evoke contrast and conflict. Black graphite and charcoal lines cut through the compositions like fractures, symbolizing resistance, boundaries, and the desire to break free from imposed limitations. The negative space, softly blended with graphite, adds depth and quiet intensity, while ghost markings—my signature underpainting technique—linger beneath the surface, hinting at unseen histories and layered emotions. These subtle traces speak to the persistence of memory and identity, even when obscured.

Sahar Hasan: Artist and Curator

by Sahar Hasan • 25 July 2025
Sahar Hasan is a artist and curator whose work brings hidden emotions and overlooked stories into view. Her practice moves between painting, mixed media, and curation, always tracing the quiet spaces where memory, identity, and heritage meet.

Victoria Moses: Grand Era

by Victoria Moses • 24 July 2025
Victoria Moses: Grand Era  Victoria Moses, born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1990, is a student at the Art Academy Hamburg, where she engages with diverse artistic media, including painting, sculpture, and digital art. Her work is characterized by a profound exploration of perception and identity search, focusing on the relationships individuals establish within society. Through her use of both vivid, figurative oil paintings and monochromatic charcoal drawings, she examines how people integrate or distance themselves in various social contexts, adopting different roles that shape their self-expression and interactions. Her latest series, Grand Era, is deeply influenced by her experience working on an ocean liner - an enduring symbol of intercontinental connection as it was in the early 20th century. Within this series, Moses portrays individuals navigating multiple societal roles, shifting fluidly between personal and professional identities. A single person may simultaneously function as a professional, a family member, a friend, and a community participant, with each role reflecting distinct expectations and responsibilities dictated by their environment. Through these themes, Moses explores the complexities of human adaptability and the intricate balance required to meet the demands of social existence. Her art contributes to broader discussions on identity, social roles, and the evolving nature of interpersonal relationships.

Ashwani Verma, Busking Piccadilly Circus

by Grant Milne • 24 July 2025
Critics Review: The artist's exceptional talent is evident in their masterful control of watercolour, a medium notorious for its difficulty. The painting demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of light and atmosphere, using the medium's transparency to create a luminous, hazy glow over Piccadilly Circus. This is expertly contrasted with the sharp, dramatic shadows, showcasing a remarkable ability to create depth and a sense of time. The seemingly effortless washes of colour for the background and the energetic brushstrokes for the performers perfectly balance delicate subtlety with bold expression, a clear sign of a highly skilled watercolorist. Furthermore, the artist excels at capturing the emotion and energy of the scene, not just its physical form. The dynamic poses and loose, impressionistic style of the musicians suggest movement and rhythm, as if the music is about to pour from the frame. The artist has a rare gift for distilling the essence of an urban scene—its constant motion and the unexpected joy of a street performance—and conveying it with a powerful sense of atmosphere and narrative. This ability to imbue a painting with such a strong sensory experience is a true testament to their talent. Critics - Grant Milne - Founder of Artist Talk Magazine

LAURENTIU STROE

by EMOTION IN EVERY LAYER • 4 July 2025
Laurențiu STROE is a Romanian painter known for his raw, expressive style and textured surfaces. His artwork stands out through thick layers of paint, powerful brushstrokes and pallette knives, and a strong emotional presence. Using the impasto technique, STROE applies paint so heavily that it creates a sculptural texture, adding depth and movement to the canvas.

Painting from Within: Exploring Fluid Forms and Unseen Emotions

by Mahfam Barzegarpour • 5 June 2025
I am a Birmingham-based artist whose work explores spiritual and emotional landscapes through fluid forms and layered textures. Through my paintings, I seek to express feelings and inner states that words cannot easily convey. I developed my practice through studying Fine Art, where I began to explore the interplay of texture, movement, and the sense of presence in painting.