Viktoriia Levina

I am a self-taught artist, born and raised in the Russian North, currently living and working in Florida. My art is deeply rooted in personal experience and in my gradual process of letting go of the need to meet other people’s expectations, be perfect, and earn acceptance.

In my paintings, I create inner refuges for figures who are tired of the pressures of the outside world and the fear of being misunderstood. Surrounded by fabric and slightly unreal spaces, they can feel at ease, exist without having to prove their worth, and simply be themselves. This is not an escape to be overcome, but a necessary pause—a place of quiet, safety, and restoration.

Fabric becomes part of this refuge. It surrounds the body, creates additional layers, protects the figure, and separates it from the outside world. In my paintings, fabric is never merely decorative. It helps me speak about feelings that often remain unseen, and it can be both a protective shell and a place one longs to disappear into.

My interest in fabric also comes from a long-standing love of fashion, clothing, and the history of costume. Since childhood, I have been drawn to silhouettes, layering, and the way clothing can transform a person’s appearance. In my paintings, this visual interest has merged with my personal experience and become a language through which I can speak about our inner lives.