Lenka Laskoradova

INTERVIEW BY Olivia Bossert

INTERVIEW WITH: Lenka Laskoradova - Collage artist

PHOTOGRAPHER Svetlana Volkova

MODELS Vasilisa Lavrentieva & Olesya Kornushina

STYLING Alyona Rakova

MAKEUP Elena Gara

LOCATION Apollo Studios Moscow 18 Atlas Magazine

Lenka Laskoradova

- Tell us a bit about yourself and your background? I am a young girl from Russia who likes dreaming and collecting magazines–– and cutting them up, of course!

- How did you get into collage? Difficult question… I always was addicted to fashion. But at the same time I couldn’t figure out how I could get involved in the industry. After graduating, I worked as a Math teacher. It definitely was not my passion, so after every day at school, I spent my evenings making collages. For me it was like therapy.

Lenka Laskoradova

- How do you get inspired for your collages? I like visiting new places and exhibitions of contemporary art. But everything can be a small source of inspiration for me; like a sunny day or a ticket on a bus. I appreciate every single day of my life.

Lenka Laskoradova

What is the process of creating a collage, from start to finish? For me it is a mysterious moment, really! I never know what I am going to end up with. I like using strange and surreal things, mixed up with clothes or just faces/parts of the faces of models.

How does fashion have an impact on what you create? I rely 100% on the new collections When I watch a fashion show from a new season the first thing I think is “How I can work with that coat, dress or a bag? Where I can put them on the page of my next creation?” I love to study the prints, forms, style–– it’s all important to me..

Lenka Laskoradova

Do you think you are influenced by trends? I think it’s about 50/50. I don’t necessarily stick to one season, or even one year for my collages. It can sometimes look like I’m trying to be a stylist, piecing it all together, but I work with 2D surfaces, not the actual clothes.

What do you love most about collage? The opportunity to change the way people see the pieces of clothing I’m using for my collage…and opportunity to create something really weird!

How has social media and the internet helped your career develop? My Instagram profile helped me. A lot of people see my work thanks to the hashtag I created for my work: #mailart_collage.I also write a blog about art and the freedom it can bring you.

What advice would you have for aspiring collage artists? My main advice: love the people around you! Never give up on your dreams, because random things can change your life suddenly, so aim high and do what you like!

You can find more of Lenka’s work at: lenkalaskoradova.wordpress.com