Diliana

Short Biography

Diliana was born in Bulgaria and grew up in Italy. She loved drawing and painting from an early age, but set art aside during her years in the corporate world. After becoming a mother, she returned to painting, and for her it was a way of finding herself again as much as a return to art. She now lives in Dubai with her family. Since 2025 she has developed several series of abstract works, exploring childhood memory, belonging, nature and resilience.

Artistic Style

Diliana paints intuitively. Each brushstroke leads to the next, and she welcomes whatever each new layer brings. Using liquid acrylics, inks and water, often on raw or unprimed canvas, she builds soft washes and organic forms. These recall the changing rhythms of the natural world, from water and coastlines to the earth itself. At the centre of her work is a search for connection: with her inner world, with her surroundings and with other people.

Additional Information

Diliana’s recent series include ‘Where I Belong’ (2025), which looks at childhood memories, belonging and nature. ‘Exhale’ (2026) is a group of atmospheric works on raw canvas inspired by the coast, fluid movement and the feeling of being grounded. ‘Trust the Process’ (2026) explores resilience and intuition, and learning to trust one’s own inner direction rather than outside approval. In 2026 she also submitted a proposal for the Sikka Art & Design Festival 2027, ‘Permeability (How the Earth Remembers)’, a site-specific triptych on unprimed cotton canvas.