Artist’s Statement

Victoria Maria Zaba is a Polish Canadian fourth year university student who has a deep fascination with realism and classical art and architecture. Zaba is currently completing a combined degree with visual studies and Greek and Roman studies along with a minor in architecture. Her passion for art was heavily influenced by her mother, who painted with oils herself and brought her to many museums regularly, both in Canada and Poland as a child. As an artist, Zaba has grown a particular intertest in the themes of religion, mythology, and history. The combined elements of these themes have influenced the forms of storytelling in her work.

As a student deeply fascinated with the cultures of ancient civilization, my work focuses on imagery from myths and religious stories typically in the form of oil painting, digital, charcoal, and graphite drawing. My interest in pop culture, nostalgia, religion and ancient history mingle together to inspire my work. Sometimes I will create just for the sake of fulfilling my constant desire to bring imagination to life and other times I will create realism works with deeper undertones that comment on modern issues I am passionate about.

Warriors of Old

The King Under the Mountain is dead. I took his throne, I slaughtered his people like a wolf among sheep. Where are his kin that dare seek revenge? Where are his sons’ sons that dare approach me? I kill where I wish, when I wish. My armour is iron, no blade can pierce me! I laid low your warriors of old, I instilled terror in the hearts of men. I am King Under the Mountain.