Through her vivid portraits Elitsa Ristova forges an immediate, visceral connection with her subjects, building a pathway where their gazes intersect. The resulting images possess a rare, intuitive intensity, capturing the diversity and multifaceted nature of 21st-century London, where she currently delights in finding her joys and inspirations. Sitters that enter Ritsova’s frames, often young women, are empowered to exhibit their resilience and self-assurance, rather than being confined to the artist's whims. Caught in a controlled slight blur and bathed in pools of warm colors, the visages of her subjects suggest that like Ritsova’s own mind, they are fully impressionable. With this sense of individuality, her smoothed brushwork and radiant swathes of paint help Ritsova achieve the absolute illusion - an extreme intensity of the regard. Her unrelenting touch mirrors the scrutiny she dedicates to engaging with her sitters. Meanwhile, the minimalist backgrounds lend a dream-like allure, enticing the viewer with a sense of mystery and inviting them into emotionally gripping narratives.
Originating from a rural town in North Macedonia, Elitsa Ristova displayed her prodigious hunger for art from an early age. Encouraged by her mother, she received private art classes and later pursued her passion at the Goce Delčev University of Štip, delving even deeper into a multifaceted world of visual arts. Seeking to broaden her artistic vision, she relocated to London, where she studied at the London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA) and still continues to call home.
Her impressive exhibition history includes a solo show in 2021 titled 'Equanimity of the Mind,' where she served as Artist in Residence at LCCA. Additionally, she participated in various group exhibitions, such as 'In a New Light,' curated by Art City Works, 'Wounds,' an exhibition and music event in collaboration with BURST LDN, and 'A sea of white shirts + communicating ideas,' a group showcase held at LCCA. “Through art I embark on a transformative odyssey, unraveling the inner and outer dimensions of existence, discovering new facets of myself. It provides me with a canvas to freely express my thoughts and emotions, granting me solace and a profound connection to the world around me.” (Elitsa Ristova, 2023)