Suburbs Gallery Solo Highlight Exhibition no 60

Inspired by nature, societal reflection, and the boundless realms of fantasy, Petolas unveils portals to secret places where memories, desires, and the subconscious converge. Her work exists at the intersection of reality and imagination, inviting viewers to step into intricate allegorical worlds woven from personal and universal truths.

Petolas crafts visual stories that defy conventional perception, creating profound narratives that unfold within meticulously composed, dreamlike landscapes. Blending contemporary digital techniques with photography or traditional oil painting, she achieves a harmony between innovation and timeless artistry. Her surreal sceneries—populated by hybrid creatures, animals, and human figures—explore the complexities of human yearning, belonging, and the delicate relationship with our surroundings.

“My art reimagines historical interiors and gardens as surreal landscapes... animals and hybrid creatures yearn for answers, only to find more questions,” Petolas reflects. By transforming her own self-portraits into mythical forms, she bridges the personal and collective, while nature and wildlife emerge as powerful symbols of resilience and change.

In Lose Your Head, Nikolina Petolas masterfully transports us to a surreal and atmospheric realm where the lines between reality and imagination dissolve. The golden gown, delicately suspended without a figure, becomes an ethereal presence—haunting yet graceful—evoking themes of absence, memory, and transformation.

At Suburbs Gallery, we curate digital art exhibitions and bring them to life in our physical space. We call these showcases Solo Highlights—a simple yet impactful concept. Each Highlight is a celebration of the artist’s journey.