Between Inner and Outer
Julia Shilo
Bulgaria
BIOGRAPHY
Julia Shilo is a Ukrainian artist based in Bulgaria, specializing in portraits and figurative painting. Her work blends traditional and contemporary techniques, incorporating mixed media and collage. She integrates fragments of antique books, sheet music, stamps, and other vintage materials, creating a dialogue between history and modern expression while emphasizing timeless human emotions.
Reflecting on the lost aesthetics of past eras, Julia explores themes of nostalgia, memory, and identity through symbolic elements.
Her works are held in private collections across the USA, France, Italy, Turkey, Germany, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Russia. Julia has exhibited internationally and took part in the London Art Biennale 2025. She continues to evolve her artistic practice, creating thought-provoking, emotionally resonant pieces that bridge past and present.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Nostalgia is at the core of my creative process. I draw inspiration from childhood memories for those untainted emotions that
existed before external influences shaped us. My work is a search for authenticity, a reflection on who we might have been if
we had remained true to ourselves.
Using mixed media, I incorporate fragments of antique books, sheet music, and handwritten letters, layering acrylic,
watercolor, pastel, and collage to create contrasts and hidden meanings. Historical artifacts fascinate me for they carry the
weight of time. By integrating vintage paper ephemera, I bridge past and present, reinforcing ideas or sparking
contemplation. My portraits and figurative compositions balance realism with expressive abstraction, capturing both
physical beauty and emotional depth.
Relocating to Bulgaria reshaped my artistic vision, inspiring themes that transcend cultures. My art serves as a tribute to the
fading tactile world, honoring books, letters, and handwritten words as symbols of human connection and knowledge.
ARTWORKS
CONTACT
