Moja zgodba - Marija Požlep

Marija Požlep started painting at a young age. Her talent was discovered by her primary school teacher and she ended up participating in numerous competitions, winning various art prizes and awards. In eighth grade, she was awarded the prize for the best pupil in art education. After graduating from the Secondary School for Food and Nutrition, she successfully completed her studies in food technology and spent some time working in the field. Between 1995 and 2000 she was an active member of the Art Association of Slovenske Konjice, where she expressed herself artistically and participated in numerous exhibitions at home and abroad. Her first solo art exhibition was held in 1999 at the Riemer Town Gallery in Slovenske Konjice. At this point the desire to pursue her own creative path was growing and the following year she exhibited in Krapina, Croatia.

Soon after, she got diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This was followed by a period of treatment and rest. In 2013, she decided to pursue an independent path in painting and has been working as an amateur artist ever since.

In 2014, she showcased a solo exhibition titled "Born Hope" at the University Medical Center Maribor, and later brought it to the Habakuk Hotel in Maribor with a charitable focus. In 2016, she presented an exhibition titled "Simply Me" at the Delfin Hotel in Izola, followed by the exhibition "Woman" at the Cultural Center of the City Gallery in Rogaška Slatina the following year. Her next major painting project was the exhibition titled "Turbulence of Life" in 2023 at the Lek Gallery in Ljubljana, it was dedicated to all women suffering from breast and gynecological cancer. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of paintings was donated to Europa Donna – the Slovenian Breast Cancer Association. She is now continuing with even greater enthusiasm with the art exhibition titled "Through Thorns to the Stars" at the City Gallery in Rogaška Slatina, which will also have a charitable focus.

In her artworks, it is evident she is exploring new creative angles, which are allowing her to advance and uncover new themes and artistic approaches.

Many say that my paintings are energetic, and I myself believe that they are a direct expression of my worldview. The hours I spend painting are filled with calm and joy.

It was undoubtedly my sadness, associated with my health problems caused by severe depression and bipolar disorder, that most decisively drew me into painting and artistic expression. In fact, after each painting, with which I am satisfied, I feel better. That is why I consciously decided to leave realistic painting and find my own style in which I can express myself more easily and strengthen my mental well-being. I also seek my own balance from the field of meditation, and painting significantly helps me in this. I can say that artistic expression contributes 110 percent to my mental well-being.

After expressing my greatest pain through painting, which I cannot even verbalize, a sense of satisfaction and calmness overcomes me. During the creative painting process, everything happens spontaneously, unplanned. I intuitively select and use certain colors, and I never make a sketch in advance for painting. I paint very simply, with few things on my paintings, as I mainly focus on the essence I want to express.

A certain feminine energy can be felt in my paintings. However, my paintings are created somewhere in the subconscious, during meditation, where the motifs are born. I paint in complete silence, as silence is the most beautiful music for me. I paint with brushes, often applying the paint with my fingers, so that everything is as direct and authentic as possible. I always express stories from my own life.

My tragic life experience, which I went through in a short period of time when several of my closest ones passed away, has prompted the creation of a series of paintings titled "Turbulence of Life." With these paintings, my deepest pain comes to the surface. In my opinion, I have achieved my most sincere artistic expression.

Now I am in a period of stepping onto a new life path, as my traumas have come to an end. I have bid farewell to them and am now living happily, which is also reflected in my current works. I am concluding this period with a new art exhibition titled "Through Thorns to the Stars." This will feature all my favorite past works, as well as my current creations, which express my mental peace and contentment.

My husband, who has been by my side throughout my life, once told me: "Just as you believe in me, believe in yourself as well!" I have somehow adopted this thought as my motto, and I am proud that I have achieved something in life, even though my illness has been an obstacle. Through painting, I have gained self-confidence, and my works often border on provocation. However, I would also like to help other people in distress through my painting, and in a special way, thank all those who have helped me in my darkest moments.

Welcome to my world of colors and imagination.

Marija Požlep

Upcoming exhibitions

Upcoming exhibitions

Marija Požlep

Marija Požlep

Home

My story

Gallery

Contact

My story

Contact

Prodaja slik