Irena GapkovskaIrena Gapkovska takes inspiration from the moments and impressions from life: As she notes: "As a Macedonian artist, the influence of the Byzantine is present in my work in many different ways. My images are usually rather surrealistic in style, and ocus on the human figure in a symbolic manner. By using the aesthetics of ancient Macedonian art to express the spirituality of the subject, I make a bridge between abstract and figurative realities combining them in an authentic manner with an intellectual approach to make a unique visual story." Prior to Founding NGO Art Studio in Skopje, Macedonia in1998, Irena was graphic designer for the newspaper Elena and for Nova Makedonija Magazine, receiving a national award for best art illustration. She earned a Master's Degree in Graphic Art from St. Kyril Methodiy University Fine Art Academy in Skopje. In addition to her studio in Skopje, she had a studio in Miami for ten years until 2018, when she relocated to Perpignan, France. Read More Read Less