Art Interview: Zakalata Marie — Bridging Worlds and Emotions Through Art

Step into the vibrant world of Zakalata Marie (@ZakalataMarie), a multidisciplinary artist and architect whose journey from programming to palette knives paints a story of passion, reinvention, and purpose. With exhibitions at London’s #TheHolyArt, Dubai’s #WowSummit, and upcoming showcases at NFT Bali 2024 and ZAO-CHELA Miami 2024, Zakalata bridges the tangible and digital realms, crafting emotive abstractions and NFTs that resonate with raw authenticity. Her art, deeply rooted in oriental influences and personal narratives — like her debut NFT “The Little Prince” for her son — transcends mere aesthetics, becoming a vessel for unspoken truths and universal emotions.

Blending architectural precision with spontaneous creativity, Zakalata’s work whispers of resilience, self-discovery, and the transformative power of art to ignite hearts and heal worlds. Dive into her story, where every stroke and pixel carries the weight of a soul daring to create, connect, and leave an indelible mark on history.

🟥 Can you share a bit about your background and the journey that led you to becoming an artist?

My art way begun in early childhood. I graduated from art school. Then I graduated as a programmer and studied 3D graphics, but I realized that my vocation was art and architecture, and I got a second degree in interior design. After that, I opened my own small design studio. We are engaged in the development of design projects. In my design projects, I often used my works painted for interiors in oil on canvas, as a rule it was an abstraction. Interior orders led to architecture orders and new clients. That’s why I graduated from the University of Architecture and we started developing architectural interior designs for private homes for our clients.

🟥 Was there a defining moment or experience that solidified your decision to pursue art seriously?

I have been painting all my life, but now, in an era of difficulties and global changes, I have realized how necessary art is for me. With the help of my artworks, I can say things that I cannot say in words. This is both self-expression and a message to people, my mark in history. I turned towards oriental art because it best conveys the inner world of the characters.

🟥 Do you remember the first piece of art you created, and what inspired you to make it?

I can’t say about the first drawing, as a child I loved copying the works of different artists, drawing portraits of classmates and favorite performers, I remember I drew portraits of the Depeche Mode. My first NFT was the work “The Little Prince” dedicated to my son.

🟥 What inspires you the most when creating your art?

As a rule, this is some kind of experience, sometimes music, movies, but the main thing is the idea that I want to convey.

🟥 Are there specific activities, rituals, or moments that fuel your creativity?

Music.

🟥 How would you personally define art, and what deeper meaning does it hold for you?

For me, its main meaning is to awaken emotions in a person, to cause a response vibration.

🟥 What part of the creative journey excites you the most — conceiving an idea, the act of creating, or finishing the piece?

Everything is important. A good job, like an interior, can be ruined in the end with a couple of strokes.

🟥 Do you follow a structured plan when creating art, or is your process more spontaneous?

An idea is born first, sometimes it changes or transforms in the process.

🟥 What time of day do you feel the most creative, and why do you prefer that time for your work?

I draw almost always when I have free time. I like to draw on weekends when no one is distracting.

🟥 Do you listen to music while creating, and how does it influence your process?

Yes I like to listen the music, I like to play the guitar, I’m learning to play the piano.

🟥 Do you have any specific rituals or routines you follow before starting a new project?

As a rule, there is an idea that I want to share with people, to give them the opportunity to feel an emotion.

🟥 What is the most challenging aspect of creating art, and how do you navigate those?

For me, creating a artwork is more like a challenge to myself. Merge all three components together, the idea, the emotions and the technique of execution.

🟥 What keeps you motivated during times when creativity feels like a struggle?

For me, creativity is my love, emotions, sometimes challenge for myself, the difficulty lies rather in promotion, and in the question of how to bring my art to people.

🟥 Can you share an experience or lesson that contributed the most to your growth as an artist?

I was going through a difficult period in my life. A difficult personal relationship led me to return to art as a source of healing.

🟥 Is there a piece of advice you received that completely changed the way you create or think about art?

Find yourself, find your own style in which you reveal your essence, in which you feel as free as possible. A style in which you can draw endlessly.

🟥 When you view a piece of art, what qualities or emotions do you look for?

As a rule, I look at the technique of execution, then I read the idea, I feel the emotions that are in it.

🟥 How do you perceive art’s purpose and its impact on individuals and society?

I hope that art will save the world. Art can convey emotions and thoughts without words, write a story and ignite hearts.

🟥 In your view, what do concepts like “passion” and “uniqueness” represent in art?

Passion is the first thing that came to me as an incentive to create art. Uniqueness and recognition come with time, when you find yourself.

🟥 What are the non-negotiable essentials in your workspace?

Computer, iPad, easel.

🟥 Do you have a favorite tool or object in your studio that holds sentimental value?

My guitar.

🟥 What’s the one thing you always need by your side while creating art?

The sketchbook or ipad.

🟥 Who are the artists or people you admire the most, and why?

Historically, Albrecht Durer’s work made an impression on me as a child.

🟥 Imagine you could create a piece of art in collaboration with someone from history. Who would you choose and why?

It would be interesting to meet Leonardo da Vinci. I have always admired his versatility and fate allowed me to become an artist, architect and engineer.

🟥 What’s your superpower?

Staying alive, Work hard ))

🟥 What does success as an artist mean to you — recognition, impact, or something else entirely?

Of course, recognition means a lot to an artist, but with popularity comes the opportunity to create own galleries, support other young artists and develop art, and art influences people and changes their worldview.

🟥 Can you tell us about a piece of your art that holds a special place in your heart and why it’s so meaningful to you?

It’s hard to choose one artwork. But I would like to tell you about unconditional love.

🟥 What are your dreams or goals for the future?

To develop in art, to participate in exhibitions, to move on, to discover new frontiers.

🟥 How would you define a “creative person”?

To be able to create something new is possible in many fields, not only in art. A creative person is someone who retains an interest in life. Someone who is able to generate new ideas.

🟥 In your opinion, what are the positive and negative differences between being an artist today and being an artist a century ago?

Now, to become famous, it’s not enough to have amazing painting and drawing techniques, you need to be able to show yourself, it’s difficult. I think that now, thanks to WEB 3, there are more opportunities, but also more people involved in it.