Victoria Maria Zaba

[she/her]

BA, BFA Double degree in Visual Studies & Greek and Roman Studies, 5th year

Victoria Maria Zaba is a Polish Canadian oil painter and digital illustrator who is currently based in Calgary, Alberta. Zaba is a student at the University of Calgary completing a combined degree in Visual Studies, Greek and Roman Studies and a minor in architecture. Her Baroque style is heavily inspired by her Slavic culture and childhood experiences with Catholicism. Additionally, the study of classics she currently majors in continuously informs the themes of religion, mythology, and ancient history that is explored in her work.

Hubris Hominis I, 2025, Oil on canvas, 32" x 51.75"

Exploring the separation between the human and the divine, Hubris Hominis I utilizes Baroque imagery to depict a moment of Lucifer’s suffering after being cast out of heaven for his hubris. The display of intense human emotion juxtapositioned with the liminal setting in this piece reflects the duality of his character, being both divine and human at the same time. Lucifer’s otherworldliness is emphasized by placing him in an environment that is void of any elements a viewer can familiarize themselves with. In contrast to this element of separation, his direct gaze pulls him into the real world by having him acknowledge the presence of the viewer. The canvas dimensions, being of the golden ratio, references the order and harmony of heaven that he originally comes from. However, the landscape orientation of this golden ratio drags him down to the human level, further complicating his divine circumstance. Lucifer has succumbed to the hubris of man, and now he must face the mortal world that he has so closely come to resemble.