(Video) iZZY iZVNE: “I discovered something unique for myself, something that on one else is doing”

Inna Jeleascova, or iZZY iZVNE, as she likes to be called, is a remarkable artist, who creates graffiti and, more recently, Gothic calligraphy. She is the only artist from the Republic of Moldova to be included in the 2014 edition of the “100 European graffiti artists” book.

“I am Inna, better known as iZZY iZVNE. I paint graffiti and lately I dedicated myself to calligraphy.

In the beginning it was very difficult to do this type of art, as there were very few graffiti artists and the community was small. It was difficult to find someone to learn from. I didn’t know where to begin, I didn’t know what materials I should use for painting. I only knew that I am able to do this and that it is a very interesting activity. The most important motivation was the love for this art.

I started to paint graffiti at the end of 2011. It’s been 7 years already since I began painting. I started from the simplest graffiti, and this subsequently became my main activity and source of income. Still, in my free time, I paint graffiti for myself.

I started painting simple calligraphy. Later, I started working with shadows and 3D drawings. I did my first 3D work on the 6^th wall I ever painted. Now I work in this style and I like it very much. I have discovered something unique for myself, something that nobody else is doing. And this makes be very happy.

I don’t have a clear vision of the drawing when I start it. The work flows naturally and this is what I think art is, that discovery feeling the artist goes through while working. I believe that this makes the artwork unique.

A few years ago, my work was included in the 2014 edition of the “100 European graffiti artists” book.

The book included different artists from European countries, as well as a few artists from the same country. I was the only one from the Republic of Moldova to be part of this publication.

The most recent event which made me very happy took place in the beginning of this year, when I worked at a large-scale project in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. Together with another young artist, I painted a car exhibition complex. The space was divided in several halls, each of it being painted in different calligraphy styles.

I was invited to spend two weeks there, but I stayed for a month because the client wanted me to do more work. Therefore, I painted a few more walls; the biggest one was 150 square meters, which I also painted in the calligraphy style. I hope that I have more opportunities like this.

I get inspired by everything that happens during the day, the everyday life, the people I meet. I guess any artist will agree.

I have big plans for my future. Mainly, I want to continue painting in calligraphy style, because I found myself in it and I want to continue developing it.

Key data:

Arts reflect and shape our sense of identity, our attitudes and our cultural values. Women are successful artists, writers, musicians and film makers. Yet, at the global level, in 2014, the work by women artists made up only 3-5% of major permanent collections in the USA and Europe. (The Guardian)