Transparent materials and emotional traces
The visual language of Petreska’s work is defined by transparency, layering and emotional residue. Photography is used as a starting point, often combined with materials such as glass, resin, leaves and feathers. These elements were chosen not for decorative effect but for their ability to retain and reveal traces of presence. Transparency becomes a conceptual bridge, linking physical properties to emotional states. Things that are clearly visible, things that are partially obscured, and things that don’t disappear all have symbolic meaning. Her frequent use of self-portraits creates a sense of intimacy that engages the viewer in a moment of contemplation rather than performance. These images are rarely static; they suggest immersion, suspension or quiet tension. Through careful layering, Petresca creates works that deserve closer inspection, where meaning emerges through subtle changes in the interplay of light, texture, and materials.
Water has become an increasingly important element in her practice, particularly through underwater photography. This technique allows the body to appear deformed, softened, or temporarily freed from gravity. Water reflects, distorts and hides, making it an ideal medium for exploring existence and emotion. The gestures captured beneath the surface are both fragile and elastic, shaped by resistance and flow. This environment brings unpredictability, requiring focus and adaptability during the creative process. The resulting images have a sense of suspension, where time feels slowed down and emotions gently emerge. Water is both a collaborator and a filter, shaping how people think and feel about their bodies. Its presence reinforces Petreska’s ongoing interest in balance, particularly between tenderness and strength, between control and release.
In all the material, her emphasis remains on emotional traces rather than formal perfection. Glass and resin retain elements of refinement, suggesting care and containment, while organic materials bring vulnerability and impermanence. These choices reflect an understanding that emotions, like materials, respond to conditions and treatments. Petreska lets this responsiveness guide the work, embracing results that feel honest rather than refined. Music often accompanies her creative process, especially singer-songwriters, whose intimacy and storytelling influence the rhythm and atmosphere of her studio practice. This auditory presence shapes rhythm and mood, creating a supportive environment for reflection. Together these influences form a cohesive approach, where materials, sounds and emotions quietly interact. The result is a work that feels grounded and focused, inviting the viewer to experience what remains after a moment has passed.
