A Life Between the Physical and the Digital: Vanessa Nawka on the Evolution of AR, VR, and the Greek Mati
Vanessa Nawka is a mixed media artist whose work bridges spirituality and technology. Rooted in both painting and sculpture, her practice focuses on reinterpreting sacred symbols—most notably the Aegean Glyphs, inspired by the Greek Mati—and creating sculptural visions of the Divine. Her pieces exist both physically and digitally, often expanded through AR and VR into immersive environments that invite viewers to step into a living, breathing artwork.
Artist Interview: Qinru Zhang
Qinru Zhang has long been frustrated by the way Asian women are idealized in male-centric media—the delicate beauty, the obedient wife, the innocent girl. Wanting to break free from these limiting roles, she initially distanced herself from them entirely, finding comfort in androgynous online avatars. But this detachment became a turning point. It led her to reconsider what femininity truly meant and how she could reclaim it on her own terms. Now, through digital art, Zhang challenges these restrictive narratives head-on, using pink aesthetics, cuteness, and mirrors to tell stories that embrace femininity in all its complexities—sometimes exaggerated, sometimes distorted, but always deeply intentional. We asked Qinru about her art, creative process, and inspirations.