Maya Golyshkina is a self-taught artist whose greatest inspiration comes from the things around her. More specifically, those household items—bags, cardboard boxes, anything really—that she can cut, tear, glue, and turn into a fantastic creation. In her hands, the ordinary becomes dramatic. “I mostly use everything I see around me, both at home and outside,” she says. “Everything I come across inspires me and I always come up with something and create magic out of it.”
Maya was born in Moscow and knew from an early age that she was creative. She entered children’s art school around the age of 12 and later worked as a painter, photographer and sculptor – “always looking for something new,” she said. When lockdown happened and she found herself stuck at home, she sought a new way to express herself and develop her artistic talents. It all started at the age of 18, and a year later she “exploded” online. At the age of 21, she left her home country for London and began her creative career. Since then, her work has evolved into a playful, joyful performance form of self-portraits.
There are a variety of media in her portfolio, from digital prints of her face to window displays to large cardboard sculptures that she can sit in. One of the standout pieces is her collaboration with Ed Curtis, a London-based artist and designer known for his hand-drawn “wearable art,” often featuring bold smiley faces and luxurious color palettes. A long-time admirer of his work, Maya was excited about the opportunity and immediately jumped into meetings to develop the concept.
The result is a hot-air balloon-shaped structure made of cardboard, with fabric spurting across the floor to cover where the balloon and basket sit. In Ed Curtis’ signature style, these prints are quirky, spiral and mismatched in the best way. “I really enjoyed doing it and I thought it was very whimsical, extraordinary and fun,” she said. “I just felt like his world would be better represented in a circus atmosphere, and we got a perfect match here.” It’s hard not to see the similarities between them – both creating these magnificent worlds with their own hands.
Another project is working with Luncheon magazine to become their number one magazine. 16 issues. The magazine was food-centric and asked Maya to create her own menu. “I had no hesitation and immediately thought about presenting myself as different products and food types,” she says. “I recreated the idea in my head and then, with the help of a few assistants, brought it to life using my bedroom and mattress.”
The show was filmed in an old flat in Dalston where she lived a few years ago and shows Maya’s head poking out of a pizza box. The pizza itself is painted but the basil and chips look very real. There’s a bolognese sculpture so big she could sit in the pan while it sizzles and oozes on the floor; a fish head cut out of paper, served with salad leaves, tomatoes and lemon; a pastel-colored cupcake made of ruffles with Maya’s head shaped like a cherry; and a juicy-looking cocktail with a cutout in the middle perfect for Maya to take a sip from. Everything is made of paper.
She also collaborated with Marc Jacobs on an Instagram project, developing a line of oversized bags that match her real-life looks. The pieces are hand-embellished and you can see every doodle and scissor cut – adding to the joyful texture of her work. Next up, she plans to launch her first book, as well as more projects for magazines, brands and galleries.
These creations are a lesson in being yourself and letting your artistic voice shine. When asked how she hopes audiences will react, she said: “Don’t be afraid to be yourself.”
