Vassilina Dikidjieva

Artist Statement

Construction-deconstruction, ancient-contemporary, mythology-reality are themes which are frequently present in my art and design projects. I started my architecture studies at the Higher Institute of Civil Engineering in Sofia, Bulgaria, and graduated from the Moscow Architectural Institute (MARHI) in Russia. My studies at MARHI have always been an inspiration in my architectural practice and art explorations. The ability to draw and paint were considered a foundation of the plastic arts, and students were encouraged to experiment with color, form, and spatial composition. I studied extensively drawing, ink washes, painting, model building, sculpture and other art mediums in addition to architectural subjects, using these techniques throughout my professional and artistic work.

I experiment with digital photography and video to address the fast-changing boundaries between public and private spaces where the camera becomes a preferred medium, which I call "selfie-expressionism”. As one of the winners in the 31st Chelsea International Fine Art Competition in 2016, I participated in a group exhibition at Agora Gallery, New York, with photo installations such as “Brexit” and “Grexit – Runaway Caryatid” in which I explored contemporary themes and events.

Since 2017, I have been interested in printmaking through which I explore classical symbols, elements, and iconic images in the context of contemporary background. In the winter of 2020, I was a resident artist in the Time & Space Program at Guttenberg Arts, New Jersey. The main theme during my residency was a tribute to Leonardo Da Vinci. Through a series of screenprints, I focused on the phenomenon that, 500 years after Leonardo's death, Mona Lisa is more popular than ever, outshining all other art icons and becoming a symbol of the Louvre Museum.

In my recent paintings, I focused on the connection between a Metropolis and its people and their impact on each other. As much as the people are part of the city, the city is also part of them. They project onto the city their aspirations, styles, and ideas. It is a place where the past and present meet. It could provide inspiration or disappointment, be a friend or an enemy, success or failure. According to Aristotle, the Metropolis is a place where people live together for a noble goal. However, for many of them the city is a dream and they remain a shadow, a reflection, a faceless images on a shiny building facades or disappearing figures in the city fabric. My solo exhibition “Metropolis” in which I presented my recent artworks took place from June 24 to July 12, 2025 at NOHO M55 Gallery.

 

Website:

https://www.vassilinadikidjieva.com  

 

YouTube Channel:

VASSI D https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQRcw8TSuiv-JsgmxyiFZ6Q/videos

BIOGRAPHY NOTES

 

Vassilina Dikidjieva was born in Bulgaria. She studied architecture in the Higher Institute of Civil Engineering in Sofia, Bulgaria, and continued her education in Russia. She graduated from the Moscow Architectural Institute (MARHI) with distinction. Throughout her career as a professional architect, she worked in Bulgaria, Ethiopia and New York. She currently lives and works in New Jersey, USA.

 

 

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

 

  • Solo Exhibition “Metropolis” in NOHO M55 Gallery New York, USA, 2025

  • Group Exhibitions in NOHO M55 Gallery New York, USA 2023 and 2024

  • Group Exhibitions in Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, New Jersey 2023

  • Group Exhibition of the Society of Japanese and American Creators (SJAC) in Gallery Max and Tenri Gallery New York, USA 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025

  • Group Exhibition “Prints on Broadway” in Gallery Max New York, USA 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023

  • Group Exhibition of 2020 Winter Residents of Guttenberg Arts, New Jersey, USA 2020

  • Group Exhibition of the winners in the Chelsea 31st International Fine Art Competition in Agora Gallery, New York 2016

  • Group Exhibition of the winners of NY COO Gallery Contest, New York 2009

  • Group Exhibition of the winners of NY COO Gallery Contest, New York 2008

  • Exhibition of winning entries in architectural competition for Renovation of Africa Hall, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 1998

  • Solo art exhibition “Caryatids” in the Bulgarian Embassy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 1988

  • Group exhibition for Architectural Synthesis in Living Environment in Plovdiv, Bulgaria 1982. Joint collaboration of architects and artists.

  • Annual Architectural Exhibitions in Plovdiv, Bulgaria 1978 – 1985

 

AWARDS/ RESIDENCIES

 

  • Time and Space Residency at Guttenberg Arts, New Jersey, USA 2020

  • Winner in the 31st Chelsea International Fine Art Competition, New York, USA 2016

  • Winner of NY COO Gallery Contests, New York, USA 2008 and 2009

  • 2nd place in Architectural Competition for Renovation of Africa Hall, Economic Commission Of Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 1998

  • Honorable Mention in Schinkenchiku International Design Competition “Disprogramming”, Judged by Bernard Tschumi, Tokyo, Japan 1993:  See Japan Architect, Issue № 9003

  • 2nd place in Central Glass International Architectural Design Competition (out of 533 entries) in Tokyo, Japan 1981: See Japan Architect, Issue № 8201

  • Winner of the prestigious architectural award in Bulgaria - Medal “Kolio Ficheto” 1979 for  Children Playground Spaces and Landscape Design in the newly-built residential complex “Trakia”, Plovdiv