Women’s empowerment in full colour. Interview with Alja Horvat.

Alja Horvat (@aljahorvat) is an illustrator and graphic designer from Slovenia who works and studies in Ljubljana. With an extremely distinctive style, her artwork depicts everyday life using different textures and bold colours. Her work has a vintage feel, portraying female figures in colourful retro outfits reminiscent of women’s empowerment movements of the 60s and 70s.

She started drawing at a very young age, and that's why she's considered ‘young talent.’ In 2020 she was selected by Forbes magazine for their ‘30 Under 30 Art & Culture’ list, and in 2019 she won the ‘Style Fashion Award for Young Talent’ by Elle magazine.

We had a chat to her about her work and the three limited edition illustrations that form part of the Kave Artists collaboration we did with her.

1. Which artistic techniques do you work with?

I mostly work with my graphic tablet (digital), but I love painting with oils. I started with acrylics and was afraid to try oils for the first time. But ever since I began experimenting with them, I can’t go back to painting with acrylics. I also sometimes paint with gouache.

2. What is special about the artistic technique you use?

I use different brushes on my graphic tablet to recreate the traditional look that you'd get from gouache.

3. How did you get started in art?

Ever since I was a little girl, I loved drawing and creating different things, so I always knew that when I grew up, I wanted to do something artistic. I went on to study at graphic design school, and later at the University of Natural Sciences and Engineering, where I also studied graphic design. I started drawing for myself again while I was studying at university.

4. What makes you different from other artists?

This is such a tough question to answer, but I think being myself and staying truthful to my personal style is what sets me apart from others.

5. What do you like most about your work?

Vibrant, colourful palettes and creating a nostalgic style.

6. What part of the house is your place of inspiration?

My studio. I have a space on the wall where I pin all the prints I’ve created since 2019. It’s a constant reminder of how I've evolved and makes me feel thankful for all of the opportunities that have come up along the way. It’s definitely an inspiration to do better every day.

7. How important is the space you're in when you're creating?

Very! It’s very important to me to have good lighting, mostly when I paint with oils. I usually design on my graphic tablet when it’s dark outside. Before moving into my current house, I worked from our living room, so it’s wonderful now to have a space of my own, dedicated to my work.

8. What are the must-haves?

I’m obsessed with the glass table and beautiful lamp I have from Kave Home. I’ve always wanted a glass table, to put a beautiful rug underneath it.

9. What does it mean to you to be able to collaborate with Kave Home?

I’m so happy to be collaborating with Kave Home, especially because most of my work space, where I get inspired, is decorated with Kave Home pieces. I love the idea that my paintings will infuse spaces they’re living in with happiness.

10. What inspired your work in this collection x Kave Home?

My work is always inspired by telling different stories. I want people to look at my work and each one of them to interpret it differently. This is what I find beautiful about art. We all see it through different eyes, it's extremely personal.

Click here to discover the Kave Artists.