Mariya Marinova (Sofia, Bulgaria, 1983) is a visual artist and art therapist based in Como, Italy.
She graduated with highest honours in Painting from the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts in Turin and later obtained a Master’s degree with highest honours in Theory and Practice of Art Therapy from the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan.
Her artistic research has evolved from painting and printmaking towards textile-based practices, artist’s books and installation art. Drawing inspiration from natural processes, autobiographical narratives and contemporary fiber art, she creates works that investigate the relationship between personal memory and collective experience.
Her projects have been exhibited internationally, including artistic residencies and exhibitions in Finland, United Kingdom and other European contexts. Alongside her artistic activity, she develops educational and community-based projects that explore the transformative potential of creative processes.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Mariya Marinova is a visual artist and art therapist whose research deeply explores the relationship between humans and nature, sustainability, organic life models, and personal metamorphosis. Combining fine arts mastery with clinical and social training in Art Therapy, her practice spans painting, printmaking (botanical mono prints), fiber art, collective embroidery, and textile artist books. She is highly experienced in conducting creative, socially sensitive workshops for diverse age groups, fostering community cohesion and psychological well-being through non-verbal artistic expression.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
– M.A. in Theory and Practice of Art Therapy (Graduated with Full Marks 110/110 )
Brera Academy of Fine Arts, Milan, Italy
– M.F.A. in Painting (Graduated with Full Marks and Honors / 110 cum laude)
Albertina Academy of Fine Arts, Turin, Italy (2009)
– B.F.A. in Visual Arts & Performing Arts (Painting) with Full Marks and Honors
Albertina Academy of Fine Arts, Turin, Italy (2007)
– Specialization in Theatre Scenography & Set Design
Teatro Nuovo Foundation, Turin, Italy (2009)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
-Professor of Graphic Disciplines
Michelangelo Art High School, Como, Italy
-Community Art & Creative Workshop Facilitator
Associazione Amelie, Lugano, Switzerland; design and leading of inclusive creative ateliers for children and youth, handling multicultural and sensitive relational settings.
ARTIST RESIDENCIES & INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS
– 2015 – 2016 | Cambridge Sustainability Residency, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge
Research centered on environmental art, sustainability concepts, and socio-ecological connections, residency exhibition in Ruskin Gallery; Cambridge United Kingdom
-2015 Artist in Residence and Workshop Tutor
Nelimarkka Museum – Regional Museum of Southern Ostrobothnia, Alajärvi, Finland.
– 2015 | Artist-in-Residence & Guest Lecturer
Drake Art Center & Nordic Art School, Kokkola, Finland
Delivered artist talks and led creative practical workshops for international art students.
– 2008 | Beyond the Murals; Urban Art Workshop, San Sperate, Sardinia, Italy
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS (SOLO & GROUP)
– 2019 | Hair: symbology, semiology and sociology through the artist’s gaze, Milan, Italy (Awarded 2nd Place by “Premio Alfaparf” & Academy of fine arts Brera of Milan, with the textile work “Intreccerò la mia tristezza”).
– 2018 | Land(e)scapes (Solo Exhibition)
Nelimarkka Museum – Regional Museum of Southern Ostrobothnia, Alajärvi, Finland.
– 2015 | MetaForest: Forest’s Metaphors for Life (Solo Exhibition)
Nordic Art School, Drake Art Center, Kokkola, Finland.
– 2015 | Listen To Trees (Solo Exhibition)
Nelimarkka Museum, Alajärvi, Finland.
– 2009 | Progetto Passante, Porta Garibaldi Urban Art Installation, Milan, Italy.
– 2007 | Mariya Marinova (Solo Exhibition)
Museum of Contemporary Art – “Fondazione Luciana Matalon”, Milan, Italy
(Finalist of the Beniamino Matalon Award).
-2007 “Beyond” (solo exhibition), Academy of Fine Arts “Albertina”, Turin Italy
ARTISTIC SKILLS & METHODOLOGIES
Visual Arts: Mixed-media painting, ink drawing, woodcut/engraving, botanical monotint printing, textiles, and handmade paper artist books.
Fiber Art: Hand embroidery, weaving/de-weaving, fabric manipulation, and site-specific fiber sculpture.
Art Therapy Applications: Relational art, non-verbal therapeutic interventions, multi-generational community engagement, and psychological safety in social-artistic workshops.