In Eastern European folklore, Vassilisa is a princess that’s wise and beautiful. I know a Vassilina, who’s also wise and beautiful, and a supremely talented artist. She works across a number of mediums, oil paints and prints, and she’s also an architect. Born in Bulgaria, she graduated from Moscow Architectural Institute and worked as an architect in Bulgaria, Ethiopia and the United States. Her Metropolitan series has this unbelievable juxtaposition of architectural cityscapes, and large-scale human figures that dominate the landscape. It’s not a dark Gotham but a light, Dreamscape Metropolis. The architectural details and scale make it feel like New York City but not drawn based on any city view, the artist works from her home studio in New Jersey. Three-dimensional human forms are larger than the buildings, they rule the city, they are the ones in charge, so the idea of this city becomes very romantic and sweet. Her use of pastel colors is captivating and engrossing. The figures dominate the landscape, not the other way around. They are larger than life, moving through the buildings, writing their stories into the landscape, using the city as their playground.

This painting is called the “Three Graces.” It pays homage to the Three Graces from classical mythology, who were the daughters of Zeus and were imbued with beauty, wisdom and special powers, which vary depending on the source. The Three Graces have been a popular subject for painters and sculptors throughout the history of art, and are also called the three Charities, where the origin of our word charity comes from. These three beautiful goddess have served as muses for artists throughout the centuries, providing fertile ground to explore the best of human values, beauty, elegance, kindness, and grace. That’s the reason some of the most famous works of art are based on this subject. The top of the list is Sandro Botticelli’s Painting “Privamera” – Spring, where the three graces are incredibly graceful, beautiful, and utterly mesmerizing. Their faces are enchanting and their hair is gorgeous, they’re wearing see through flowing fabrics and their hands are touching, as if in a dance.

Source: https://www.uffizi.it/en/artworks/botticelli-spring

The subject of the Three Graces has inspired artists for its rich mythological significance. The graces represent the highest and most desirable of human values, beauty, elegance and harmony. Vassilina’s Metripolitan series represents the best of modern cities, lively landscapes, bright, harmonious colors, places built for happiness and enjoyment of its inhabitants.

Reflecting upon the Metropolitan Series, what Vassi has created is a world of happiness and love, it’s an interactive city, full of beautiful architecture, but the human form holds the most significance. Viewing the works as a whole or zooming in to study a particular section, the skill of the artist and the line of the architect are impressive. But the lasting impact is created by the emotion the works evoke, the forms that are so familiar and yet unknowable, that are both diaphanous and solid, modern and ancient. The juxtaposition of themes and images, the layering of imagery and meaning, is what makes these works of art truly unique and unforgettable. She had a solo show at the NOHO M55 Gallery in June-July 2025. Youtube Video of the exhibit.

Vassi is going to be exhibiting in a group show at Viridian Gallery, October 14 through November 1, 2025: Upcoming Show — Viridian. Located at 548 West 28th Street in suite 632, this gallery is dedicated to group shows and is open to the public 12-6pm Tuesday through Sunday.

For more information about the artist, check out her website Home | Vassilina Dikidjieva and Artist Statement: Artists — Viridian Artists.