Maria Koroleva

Year of birth: 1988
Where do you live: Berlin
Your education: Moscow State Pedagogical University, Shenyang Normal University
Describe your art in three words: Mystical, disturbing, mesmerising
Your discipline: Mixed media
Website | Instagram

Can you tell us about your artistic journey and how your background in painting, drawing, and crafts influenced your current practice?

I’ve been drawing since early childhood, for as long as I can remember. I attended art school two to three times a week, so I never really doubted what I wanted to study. Though, at one point, I almost dropped out of university to become a marine animal trainer at the Moscow Zoo.
Still, I spent five wonderful years studying at the Moscow Pedagogical University, majoring in Fine Arts. I was lucky to learn from some of the best professors. University shaped all my core artistic skills. My favorite discipline has always been drawing, while my modest painting abilities are something I’d rather not boast about.

How did your experience in the exchange program at Shenyang Normal University in China shape your artistic vision and techniques?

I ended up studying in China thanks to a mix of luck and sheer audacity. Sometime in my fourth year, I suddenly had the urge to study abroad, so one morning, I simply walked into the university’s international office and asked about possible opportunities. They offered me China, and I immediately agreed—even though I had never been there before.
Shenyang University had an incredibly high level of both teachers and students. The Chinese work ethic amazed me, and I had to keep up. The program focused on drawing and traditional Chinese graphics (which was a stroke of luck for me!).
Studying in China truly expanded my perception of art and the world. Besides my studies, I practiced traditional martial arts and, of course, traveled across the country, making wonderful friends from all over the world.

Maria Koroleva | Patriarchy | 2023

You have a strong focus on animal imagery and mythical beings in your work. Could you explain the significance of these elements in your art?

I already mentioned my time working at the zoo. That’s probably when my deep connection with animals first emerged. I spent a lot of time working with them and simply observing. Animal imagery has a profound impact on people, awakening something ancient and deeply rooted within us.

In your project statement, you mention the use of animal and mythical symbolism to explore complex ideas and emotions. Can you give us an example of how this symbolism manifests in one of your works?

A great example of how I use animal imagery and symbolism is my painting Patriarchy. It depicts a stag pierced by a sword. The stag is an ancient symbol of masculinity. In today’s world, patriarchal ideas are not only being challenged but are also fading away. The sword piercing the stag’s back symbolizes this shift—as if a physically weaker woman had to strike from behind to level the playing field. The stag is wounded but undeniably alive. The fire and gray ashes surrounding it represent our burning world, where old rules, traditions, and laws are being consumed by the flames.

Maria Koroleva | Magpies | 2025

How does tattooing influence your visual art? Do you find connections between these two creative outlets?

Tattooing is a very specific form of visual art, mainly because of its strict technical limitations. I’ve been a tattoo artist for over 12 years, and naturally, I’ve developed a kind of professional bias. Tattooing pushed me even further away from working with color and towards line work and graphics.
However, tattooing is also rich in psychology and symbolism. After so many years in the profession, I’ve honed my ability to read people’s souls, as well as my knowledge of history, literature, and, of course, mythology.

Your works often evoke a deep emotional response. How do you approach creating a piece that balances both beauty and discomfort?

One of my main artistic goals is to evoke complex, mixed reactions in the viewer. A sense of confusion breaks familiar thought patterns, making people momentarily vulnerable and allowing them to see the work with fresh eyes. But for this to truly work, there needs to be a balance between something unsettling and something beautiful. The tension draws the viewer in, while the beauty keeps them engaged, creating a space where both discomfort and fascination exist together. This contrast opens the mind, helping me reach deeper and truly be heard.

Maria Koroleva | The Thunderdance | 2024

You mentioned the importance of creating worlds and characters that engage viewers on a deep level. How do you make sure your work connects with the audience on such an emotional level?

That’s a complicated question. I guess, a world created through art, along with the characters that inhabit it, must be complete and self-sufficient. Only then can it captivate the viewer and convey all the emotions and thoughts I want to express.