Kaffein Online Magazine: Thanda Indaba: Maria Lebedeva

1. Can you give us a brief history about yourself and how you got into art?

I was born in Moscow, Russia, and moved to South Africa at the age of 6. I have loved drawing since early childhood, I remember keeping myself entertained for hours making illustrated books. When I finished school I knew I wanted to do something in the arts, and landed up studying Information Design at the University of Pretoria. Illustration was a component of the course, and I realised that that is what I really wanted to do, so I went on to complete an Mphil specialising in Illustration at the University of Stellenbosch. This is where I really embraced my first love, making more illustrated books :)

2. Can you describe the energy that your work gives off?

Interesting question :) I would like to think it's a soft, delicate energy, with a tinge of happiness and sadness intertwined.

3. How did you develop your particular style and what inspired it?

I think the idea of 'style' is debatable, I would like my work to be recognisable as being mine, but not in the sense that everything looks the same! I try to experiment with the way I draw constantly, trying out different mediums, and different techniques. I like to keep a delicate, sensitive quality to my work at all times, which I feel is my 'style', in a way. This delicate quality was attained through hours and hours of sweat and tears during my time at Stellenbosch University, and I am still working on improving my technique daily. I am also always on the lookout for new inspirational illustration work, which will also have an influence on the way I am drawing at any given moment. Currently I am very inspired by the work of Isabelle Arsenault, a French Canadian illustrator.

4. I have noticed that many of your art works express a whole lot of loneliness, whether it is an empty chair, a lone fox in the forest or a middle aged man sitting by the pool/beach. Is there a subconscious message that you sending out there?

I think so, yes. It's so great that you picked up on that! I'm absolutely fascinated by the idea of emptiness, of something missing. I think it's influenced by my upbringing (being an immigrant always leaves you with a slight but ever-present feeling of emptiness), and by my fascination with narrative. When something is missing (like a chair missing an occupant), there is a story there, you begin to question the image.

5. What do you expect to achieve at Design Indaba?

I'm hoping that my work gets some local and international exposure. Hopefully it leads to some new interesting work, partnerships, collaborations... I am also really looking forward to seeing everyone's stalls, I'm always so inspired by the way other people work! So I'm sure I'll get a good dose of inspiration from the experience too.

6. Do you listen to music when working on your art and if so what genre/artist puts you in the “zone”

Yes, I often listen to music, and I'll sometimes try and select music that matches the mood I'm trying to convey in the illustration I'm working on. That really helps to get me in the "zone"! Mumford & Sons, Florence and the Machine, Of Monsters & Men, and Lana Del Rey are some go-to favorites.