I create art to romanticize reality and bring hidden worlds to life, turning imagination into beauty others can feel and enter.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
My favorite art to create is embroidery-based mixed media. I love combining thread, texture, fabric, paint, and found materials to build layered worlds that feel both delicate and powerful. Embroidery brings patience and intimacy to the process, while mixed media allows freedom, experimentation, and unexpected contrasts.
Where do you find inspiration?My inspiration comes from the past—especially childhood summers spent in nature and forests. The smell of snow, quiet landscapes, fairy tales, and endless imagination shaped my inner world. I often return to that sense of nostalgia, where reality and fantasy blend, and emotions feel deeper and more honest.
What would you do with $25,000?My mom has put so much love, energy, and sacrifice into helping me become who I am today. The first thing I would do is pay off her credit, as a way to thank her and ease her burden. The rest I would invest into my art practice and my brand - so I can keep growing, creating, and building something meaningful from what she helped me start.
Vote for Valeriya Iaradankulieva to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Register now for your opportunity to appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display your artwork at The Art of Elysium's Salon.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
