Transformation, pain, support, empathy, helplessness, isolation: these are just a few of the many aspects of human existence that appear in Gaya Lastovjak's art. She delves into the complexities of human behavior, investigating the nuanced relationship between the individual and society. Her work is shaped by acute observation and personal experience, infusing each piece with profound symbolic weight. Lastovjak employs a distinctive technique to create her three-dimensional reliefs, integrating papier-mâché, canvas, and oil paints. By incorporating raw elements such as rope, moss, hair, and metal mesh, she adds layers of texture and enhances the symbolic resonance of her art. These works examine the inherent dualities of humanity—balancing light and shadow, good and evil—while engaging in a continuous dialogue with pressing global issues.

As an artist, I am fascinated by existential mechanisms and emotions—from struggle and fear to freedom and eroticism—as they enter into a dynamic dialogue with history, society, and individuality.

By primarily incorporating white in her creations, Lastovjak substitutes traditional color with a play of light and shadow. This technique bestows her works with a visual essence that blurs the boundary between painting and sculpture, where the gravity of the themes meets an elegant, minimalist style. Although her figures appear still, as if frozen in time, they convey a powerful message through the accuracy of their body language and movements.

Through specific content, I want to draw the viewers attention to the world around them, to stop, look at themselves and consider what kind of person they are.

In her artistic endeavors, Gaya Lastovjak examines human emotions, behaviors, and contemporary global phenomena. Her work is deeply rooted in philosophical anthropology and psychology, focusing on the existential essence of humanity and their position in the world. She investigates the complexities of the human mind, addressing both the strengths and shadows of human nature, as well as how individuals navigate various life situations. Gaya’s body of work showcases a variety of styles, ranging from her main figurative pieces to geometric and minimalist creations, all maintained in her signature style. By simplifying forms, she clarifies her message while achieving visual harmony. For her, art should go beyond mere decoration; it ought to act as a voice in meaningful conversations, offering viewers a space for reflection on the human experience and the world around them.

Publications & Interviews

The paintings of Gaya Lastovjak are quiet whispers of deep realities, where the refined brightness of paint reduces the heaviness of the human condition, expressed by the frozen poses of her characters. They are essentially a critical language of non-violence. The firmness of her message, reflected in the fragile elegance of the overall composition shows a particular sort of aesthetics that goes beyond any type of standard classification.

Ana Malnar, Paris the Other Way, Paris, France

Gaya Lastovjak’s work has garnered acclaim through features in national and international publications, including Photographize Arts Culture Magazine (USA), Suboart Magazine (Portugal), Marvelous Art Magazine (UK), and Curatory Magazine (Netherlands). Her evocative imagery has been selected for cover features on two occasions: first for The Woven Tale Press, a literary and fine arts journal based in New York, and subsequently for Art Sloth Magazine from India. In addition to visual features, Lastovjak is frequently invited to share insights regarding her creative process and the philosophical foundations of her art. Her viewpoints have been highlighted in a diverse range of global media outlets, including art journals from Poland, France, Italy, the UK, and the USA, as well as international platforms like Turkey’s Gazete Sanat World and Independent Arabia.

Exhibitions & Art Fairs

Gaya Lastovjak’s works are often showcased in galleries and exhibition spaces both in Poland and globally. The artist has participated in notable events such as the 14th Florence Biennial, the 59th Venice Art Biennial at the Musa Pavilion, the VIII edition of Rome Art Week (RAW) at the Palazzo della Cancelleria Vaticana, the Venanzo Crocetti Museum in Rome, the Van Gogh Gallery in Madrid, The Other Art Fair by Saatchi Art, as well as various art fairs in Monaco and Basel. Her artworks have also been displayed in cities like Rome, Paris, Vienna, and Madrid. In Poland, she is actively involved in major sculpture and contemporary art events, including the Warsaw Art Fair and the LABO Biennale. The accompanying photo gallery illustrates selected exhibitions, highlighting the interaction of her three-dimensional works with the gallery space and light, creating a profound experience for every viewer.

Gaya Lastovjak is a renowned and award-winning artist. Her creations resonate significantly within the global contemporary art discourse, earning her prestigious awards on esteemed platforms. Notably, Lastovjak has secured first place from the American Art Awards (USA), the Teravarna Gallery Artist Grant (USA), and The Fusion Art Gallery (Spain). Her exceptional technique and unique viewpoint have also earned her second-place honors at the 12th Edition of the Boynes Artist Award in Australia, the Global Painting Conclave in Canada, and the Art Tour International’s Masters of the 14th Anniversary in the USA. This impressive array of accolades is further complemented by high placements from the Light Space & Time Gallery and ArtisTTable Gallery, along with the esteemed "Artist of the Month" recognition from Camelback Gallery. Since 2021, she has amassed 37 international art awards and 8 nominations.

International Art Awards

Gaya Lastovjak’s three-dimensional artworks are surprisingly light yet incredibly durable, crafted from multiple layers of paper pulp and newsprint bonded with wood glue. Typically, these pieces weigh between 2 and 10 kilograms and are shipped in custom wooden crates to ensure maximum safety during transport. Due to the complex nature of the papier-mâché technique, each piece can take several months to a year to finish. This meticulous process limits the artist to producing a small number of works each year—generally between 6 to 10 pieces. A defining feature of Lastovjak’s art is the dynamic interplay of light and shadow. The convex forms on the canvas create shifting shadows, allowing the artwork to change its appearance throughout the day based on the natural light available.

At the beginning of 2025, her works were included in the artists' catalogue of the Centre of Polish Sculpture in Orońsko. This is a significant honor, as this institution is considered one of the most important in the Polish art scene.