Embracing Chaos, Balance, and Timelessness: A Deep Dive into Art, Style, and Sustainability with Kristina Kulakova
Vienna-based artist Kristina Kulakova shares her artistic journey, exploring the fluid nature of identity, creativity, and sustainability. She discusses her passion for photography, poetry, and vintage fashion, while reflecting on her deep connection to nature and the challenges women encounter in the art world.
"Clothing is a powerful tool to play with and transform identity. One day, I might feel like a diva in a red dress or a kimono; the next, I could be a barefoot yogi or a delivery girl with a statement accessory"
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Can you tell us a bit about yourself, what you do, what you love to do, and what’s the essence of Kristina?
Kristina: About ten years ago, I set out on a mission to discover my true essence. But every time I thought I had found the answer, something unexpected would come along and turn my world upside down, forcing me to redefine myself. I’ve come to realize that identity is a fragile and ever-changing concept for someone like me. If I had to capture it, my current keywords would be: falling in and out of balance, organized chaos, and timelessness.
I work primarily with photography and poetry, and I run a small production studio. I’m also an adventurer, yogi, and traveller. This search for experiences and meaning has taken me from the depths of the jungle to the heights of art fairs, from the chaos of show business to the serenity of India, and from silent retreats to urban spaces filled with design and architecture. In many ways, I am everything my inner child and teenage self dreamed I would be. In the simplest terms, I am an artist.
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You have a holistic approach to your work. Can you tell us how sustainability influences your artistic practice?
Kristina: Growing up, my family would go camping for weeks, sometimes months, and these experiences profoundly shaped my relationship with nature. I learned how little we actually need to thrive. This simplicity became the foundation of my artistic practice. I find that stepping away from the noise of the city and immersing myself in nature reconnects me to my true creative spirit. Sustainability, for me, is about finding that connection to natural rhythms—feeling the pulse of the ocean, the forest, and living with a deeper awareness of our resources.
In urban settings, we live under the illusion of endless supply—water, electricity, connectivity. But if you’ve ever spent time in a place without those things, you start to see the world differently. It’s a return to the basics that grounds my work and inspires me to create with intention and respect for the materials and spaces I use.
One of the reasons we wanted to shoot with you is because you strongly believe that clothes and personal style are a projection of how we want to be seen. Do you have any favorite vintage pieces? Can you tell us a story about one of them?
Kristina: Absolutely! I’m thrilled to be part of your project. I have a deep love for vintage pieces; they carry stories and histories that new clothes just can’t match. Three of my favorites are vintage kimonos—a flea market find from Berlin, another from a market in Tbilisi, and one from an antique store in Amsterdam. I love wearing them as jackets, especially at art events where they provide a sort of comfort and anonymity.
But my most cherished piece is an oversized trench coat I found at a flea market in Saint-Tropez. It was buried in a pile of clothes, and just as we were about to leave, my best friend spotted it. It’s a dark olive green coat that I’d dreamed of owning for years—a piece that holds a special memory and connection. I think what unites these pieces is that they allow me to wear a piece of the places I’ve been to, and that feeling is unique to vintage.
What message do you hope to convey through your art and personal style?
Kristina: Through my art, I want to show that still life can breathe, that it can create a dialogue between what is and what could be. I hope to remind people that life, in all its messiness and unpredictability, is beautiful.
When it comes to my personal style, I want to encourage people to embrace their authentic selves without waiting for a special occasion. Clothing is a powerful tool to play with and transform identity. One day, I might feel like a diva in a red dress or a kimono; the next, I could be a barefoot yogi or a delivery girl with a statement accessory. There are no rules—just freedom to express whatever feels right at the moment. This is what I appreciate in Europe, people are more relaxed about how they look.
"Talent alone isn’t enough; we need to master self-presentation and build the resilience to face criticism and rejection. The space won’t be given to us; we have to take it. And it’s not a one-time effort—it’s a life long mission"
Women in art aren’t a new phenomenon, but in the past, we were often seen merely as muses for men. How can we claim more space and visibility?
Kristina: We need to embrace our power and just go for it. For too long, women have been seen as the subject, not the creator, in art. But we are the creators, literally and metaphorically. We have to bring that inherent power into every space we occupy, whether in art, work, or beyond. To claim more space, we need to believe that we deserve it and pursue excellence in our craft with conviction.
Talent alone isn’t enough; we need to master self-presentation and build the resilience to face criticism and rejection. The space won’t be given to us; we have to take it. And it’s not a one-time effort—it’s a life long mission. We must surround ourselves with communities that support us, especially when things don’t go as planned. Despite the challenges, there has never been a better time to be a woman in the art world. I’m proof of that: an immigrant in my 30s, making a living as a photographer. That’s a victory in itself.
What do you think are the biggest challenges in achieving artistic success and sustainability in today’s industry?
Kristina: The biggest challenge today is navigating through the overwhelming noise—too much information, overproduction, and a world filled with distraction. We’re losing touch with what truly matters, becoming disconnected from nature and ourselves. It’s tough to stay true to oneself in this environment.
Another challenge is redefining what success means. It’s not about money or status. Those things come and go in the span of life. Fulfillment comes from within, from having the time to live, reflect, and create meaningful work for an appreciative audience. I balance my practice by living simply, taking on commercial shoots to support my art, and avoiding burnout by not chasing external validation. It’s a bit like gambling, but so far, it’s working.
