Meet Gabriela Aleksova | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabriela Aleksova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabriela, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I have never asked myself that question. I can go on and on about the motivation behind each and every project I’ve worked on, but I have never wondered *why* I became an artist in the first place.

I guess it’s always felt like my calling. I was quite good at most subjects in school, but I was never interested in pursuing a career in any of them. The only thing that felt right was photography.

Art allows you to be and do anything. It is the only industry, in my opinion, that has no rules about what to say, how to say it, how to use your medium, or how to express yourself. In fact, the more kooky you are, and the more you lean into your uniqueness, the better.

Art is also meditative. I know many – if not all – artists don’t like their work once it is finished. I am one of them. But the very process of making art – of turning an idea into reality – can be invigorating, and can teach you a lot about yourself and the world. The artwork is just a byproduct.

To answer the question, I chose a career in the arts because artistic expression is my key to freedom, and the creative process is incredibly rewarding. This is what first drew me to photography, and what keeps bringing me back.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work largely consists of self-portraiture.

There is a misconception that taking photos of yourself is a sign of vanity. I see it as an exploration of the self. It’s the process of getting to know oneself; of diving into one’s subconscious.

And because my work is based in self-exploration, I can confidently say that the art I make is like no one else’s – which is a strength in some people’s eyes, and a weakness in others’.

When you are a young artist, your approach to your craft is unique. You haven’t been influenced by other people’s style yet, and you haven’t been told to niche down or to alter your work in order to make more money.

But once you enter the professional world, that’s all you can hear. It takes a very conscious effort to go against this advice; to keep your own voice and artistic style even if it doesn’t look like that of the successful people around you.

I am proud to say that I have never changed my work in order to sell more, to get more bookings, or to be perceived as a good/successful artist. As a result – although it took some time – people work with me for me, not for what I pretend to be.

If you are an artist reading this, I want you to know that your individuality is your greatest asset. Don’t lose it just because someone told you that you do things wrong, or that your art won’t make you any money.

Do your thing, be patient, and the right people will find you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I currently live in my hometown, Sofia, which is the capital of Bulgaria – a small country in South-East Europe with a rich history and culture.

Whenever a friend from abroad visits me, I always take them for a walk in the city first. Sofia’s cityscape is a mixture of ruins from antiquity, 20th-century European architecture and brutalist Soviet buildings, so it’s always interesting to see how they all intertwine.

Then we go for a hike on Vitosha mountain to see the city from above, or to do some night skiing, depending on the season.

As for food, the must-tries are banitsa (a traditional Bulgarian cheese-stuffed pastry), tarator (a cold soup made out of yogurt, cucumbers, dill, garlic and walnuts), and a shot of rakia.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Where do I even start? Shoutout to my parents for supporting me and believing in me. Shoutout to the students and faculty of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts for challenging me, inspiring me, and helping me grow as an artist. And a special thanks to Margherita Andreani for being a great colleague, friend and mentor in my post-grad life.

Website: www.gabrielaaleksova.com

Instagram: gabbiealeksova