A Visual Identity Woven in Denim: Exploring emotion, memory and raw expression through texture and assemblage
- Daiana Bruj
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Interview with Daiana Bruj
1. Please tell us something about your background and your art journey so far.
I have been painting for almost two decades, and in the past year I returned to art with a much more mature and conscious vision. I have always felt that abstraction, collage and assemblage are the languages in which I express myself most naturally, as if they chose me, not the other way around. It is the space where I feel freedom, honesty, and artistic courage.
2. Describe what a normal day looks like as an artist.
My studio is at home, and my schedule is that of a full-time artist. A typical day means alternating layers of paint, pauses while materials dry, workouts, coffee, and many ideas overlapping in my mind before they reach the canvas. I work intuitively, in my own rhythm, and every day looks different, but each one begins with the desire to create.
3. Can you tell us more about the themes in your art and your inspiration?
I work at the intersection of collage, assemblage, and abstract painting, using denim, textiles, canvas and visible layers as key elements of my personal visual identity. Inspiration comes instantly, from emotions, textures, thoughts, and everyday life. Often it arrives so quickly that I feel I must rush to capture it. Ideas settle naturally in my mind, and the process becomes intuitive, spontaneous, and visceral.
4. How does your art life impact other parts of your life?
Since returning to painting, I have less free time, yet I feel more connected to myself than ever before. Art has become the centre of my life, a place where I find myself, express myself, and heal.
5. Tell us about your best experience in the art world so far.
The most beautiful experience was realizing that I had finally found my artistic language. My “Denim Code” works have received the strongest reactions, and being accepted into magazines and exhibitions has felt like confirmation that I am on the right path. I feel I have entered a stage where my art is understood and appreciated.
6. Share your worst experience in the art world.
The most unpleasant experiences were connected to platforms or galleries that promise a lot but offer nothing real. They taught me to be selective, to research carefully, and not to invest energy into projects that do not value your work. Rejection is part of the journey, but it has never discouraged me, it made me stronger and more attentive.
7. What practical advice can you give to fellow artists?
Stay authentic. Don't try to imitate trends, follow your instinct. Discipline and consistency matter enormously, and so does professional presentation. Art is a marathon, not a sprint.
8. Is the artist’s life lonely? Please share your thoughts and experiences.
I am a sociable person, but I also love the quiet moments spent with my thoughts and my artworks. For me, the life of an artist is not about loneliness, but about an inner space where I can create freely. It is freedom, not isolation.
9. What are you working on now and are there any upcoming events you would like to talk about?
I am developing my “Denim Code” collection, which has become a central part of my artistic universe. At the same time, I am preparing new works for international open calls, magazines, and future exhibitions.
10. What do you wish for the most as an artist?
I wish to grow constantly, to build a strong and recognizable visual identity, and to reach people who truly resonate with my work. The idea of creating a community around my artistic world brings me joy.
11. What is your favourite material and why?
Denim is the material that chose me. It carries texture, history, and emotion. In my artworks, denim becomes a symbol of identity, memory, and resilience. Many of my “Denim Code” pieces are created using my son's jeans, which makes them even more personal and meaningful.
12. If you had to describe your style in three words, what would they be?
Textural, intuitive, expressive.
Website: https://bruj.art
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bruj.art/
