I whisper you, I want you and I give myself to you by Iliana Dokova

Artwork Description

In contemporary art, we need to ask ourselves, however challenging it might be, why an artist might depict the nude in that particular way. In tandem, one may introspectively discover how one relates to the nude, and what qualities of emotions or thoughts that representation evokes. Throughout history, the nude figure has been a staple of Western art. Ancient Greece was heavily focused on the subject, using it to express the ideals particularly of male beauty. With the Renaissance, the body was a revival of antiquity models, embracing humanism, religion and symbolism, but that changed dramatically in contemporary art, where the human body acts as a blank emotional canvas, able to convey both power and vulnerability in the same instance. There is, however, less of a focus on idealised forms and more on someone’s individuality. Stripped bare, there’s a lot to learn about a person when there isn’t anything for them to hide behind.

The nude figure has been represented on pre-historic statues and paintings throughout all eras since. The male nude was more commonly used in the start, especially in ancient Greece. Today society and their morality, values and outlook on life has evolved and likewise so has the female nude in art, lately to be more highly represented and regarded in contemporary art.

Iliana’s expressive nude paintings are the core essence of her artistic life. Very emotional, sensual and tender, she loves to paint nude women figures. She describes the process of painting as very unique for her.

She starts a painting and does not stop until it is finished. She has some art ardour and passion for her paintings and sits for many hours until the final stroke of the painting touches the canvas. She expressed her feminine side, her soul and always has some strong feelings when she starts a painting. Her paintings are very sensual and even sexual. Iliana embraces the night to create her figures, born from all of the sensual emotions a woman can imagine. 

The figure of Iliana lies bare, naked and vulnerable at the floor of the room, waiting for the night, the love or the passion of a man. Very erotic and sensual, she calls for tenderness.