The Life of Vic (Artist Interview with Victoria Mulja). By Kadin Vanden Heuvel

A behind the scenes look into Victoria Mulja’s artistic practice and what it has to say for itself.

Victoria Mulja is a 4th-year visual art student. She works with various mediums such as painting, drawing, installation, sculpture, and digital art. Since at 10 years old she has participated in exhibitions and art events. Recently, she has done a 3rd year show with her visual arts class during the spring 2018 semester. Her topics in visual art include pop culture, environment, and human diversity.

Kadin: What’s your Background?

Victoria: My artistic background is visual arts. I don’t have a set medium exactly or a specific one that I am known for, I just enjoy working with many different mediums. There is little to none history of artistic involvement or practices within my family. Except for my cousin, she is a very talented anime artist that has fortunately been able to pursue her passion into her career. My cousin actually inspired me to open up and expand my own artistic view out to other mediums and styles.

Photo taken by Victoria Mulja of her own art work titled “Little Secret” 2018.                      Materials: Fabric, lace, silk, ribbon

K: What’s your favourite artwork?

V: A piece that I made in my Fall semester of 2018 for one of my classes, titled “Little Secret”. It’s a lingerie outfit piece that is specifically made for a child. The message behind the work deals with the issues of pop culture, specifically referring to reality television shows such as Dance Moms and Toddlers and Tiaras. This work has moral situations and questions that are debated and asked by some of their viewers daily. The overall message comes with a controversial topic which includes an important question that is asked by many people and parents who maybe watch these shows or have some knowledge about them. Are we pressuring young girls out of their age appropriate innocent behaviour and typical lifestyle into the ways and attitudes of adults? The big bow at the top was inspired by a YouTube artist that I admire named JoJo Siwa. I’m just a fan of her bow collection and her as a person, which is kind of ironic since she is one of the girls who stared in Dance Moms. To me, she is the definition about being who you are no matter how old you are.

K: What memorable responses have you had to your work?

V: When my friends saw my final project unveiled which was the lingerie outfit piece that I made, they were shocked and felt like they were seeing a different side of me that they have never seen before. They said things like “Oh my goodness Victoria, what have you gotten yourself into?” Overall, my friends were more surprised that I chose to explore a kind of edgy topic through my artwork.

K: What do you dislike about your work?

V: Sometimes it would be my style, or even my choice of topic for a specific project. I defiantly don’t dislike the criticism that I get for my work, because regardless I appreciate all constructive feedback. At times it’s just the final product itself that I am not pleased with. When I look at a final product of something I’ve created I sometimes think to myself how I’m not pleased with it because it didn’t fit up to the standard that I was hopping or thought it would. Even if I am quite satisfied with the end result of a project, I still always think about how I could improve next time or changes that I would have made.

K: Should art be funded?

V: Yes, I think it should be funded, especially when being incorporated into the school curriculum for all grades. I deeply value the importance of the impact and power education of the arts has on the younger generations. It can create such positive change in the lives of young aspiring students, and keep the arts respected, valued, and alive for many generations to come.

K: Favourite or most inspirational place in Vancouver?

V: One of my favourite places in the city, would be Rogers Arena. This mainly has to do with the unforgettable experience I had there while volunteering at a big youth event called WE Day. I learned a lot being part of and viewing this grand assembly movement and there were also some cool art performances incorporated in as well. The place that I find most inspirational would have to be in the Olympic Village Square where an art instillation piece titled “The Birds” by Myfanwy MacLeod is placed. This artistic landmark is located in a spot that helps me get ideas for future work. In addition, my works are always small and I have always been told by some professors to go big. The atmosphere of “The Birds” also gives me the inspiration to what type of ambience and reaction I want the audience to feel and respond. When you go see the work for the first time, you feel the uncanny and slightly terrifying atmosphere due to the large-scaled sparrows.