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Born in Latvia and now based in Switzerland, Uslada (uslada.art) creates paintings that move between the material and the mystical. Her work draws on the mundus imaginalis, the spiritual realm French philosopher Henry Corbin described as a bridge between the visible and invisible. Through vibrant colors, layered textures, and archetypal symbols, she approaches painting as a form of alchemy, “a dance with the Divine.” Praised early in her career by Belgian philosopher Marcel Paquet, Uslada views art as a path of transformation and sovereignty, one that connects her to ancestry, nature, and the collective human experience. 

Your paintings often emerge from archetypal and mystical symbols. How do you see your creative process as healing—for you and for those who encounter your work? 

From the very first painting I created in 2011, I felt transported into a realm of infinite possibilities: joy, reflection, ecstasy. Archetypal images seemed to appear from invisible realms, and I rendered them visible as vivid symbolic messages for myself and the viewer. This process became a virtuous circle of transformation and enchantment, what I now call pure magic. The mystical space I enter while painting feels like a higher octave of healing. I’m not a passive observer but an active participant – a spiritual alchemist. Corbin’s concept of the imaginal realm perfectly captures this: a reality between the physical and spiritual worlds. When I paint, I co-create with the archetypal forces of that realm. Viewers often describe feeling a palpable energy from my works, as if they emit medicine for the soul. 

“Every form dissimulates the endless movement of the forces which compose it; Uslada brings these forces to light, and gives visual expression to their vibrations, their dancing, whirling intricacy.” – Marcel Paquet, philosopher 

Has “dancing with the Divine” helped you through personal challenges or offered clarity in difficult times? 

Absolutely. Much of our modern unease comes from forgetting how to engage in that mystical dance, with something invisible and benevolent beyond ourselves. Through art, I’ve learned to trust this force again. Each painting begins in uncertainty and chaos, yet it always finds its harmonious resolution. That journey has taught me to trust both myself and the Universe. When life feels overwhelming, I remind myself of this creative process and its quiet wisdom. After my mother passed in 2023, I couldn’t paint for months. But organizing The Imaginal World of Uslada, my solo exhibition near Brussels, gave me structure and strength. Even in grief, art continued to hold me. 

Your “Ancestral Song” painting honors your roots. How do ancestral stories or inherited energies shape your work’s healing dimension? 

When I painted Ancestral Song, stories of my lineage began to surface: family members sharing memories they’d never spoken of before. It became a living dialogue across generations. My artist name, Uslada, comes from that period. It’s an old Slavic word meaning “delight,” “pleasure,” and “joy”, and it became both my name and my artistic philosophy. After Ancestral Song, I created Return to Power. Both feature mystical birds, symbols of renewal and ascension. We can only fly high once we’ve fully rooted ourselves in where we come from. 

In a time that feels both hyper-connected and deeply divided, what role can artists play in collective healing? 

Healing is a pilgrimage toward wholeness – a sacred mending of body, mind, and spirit. Wholeness gives birth to true leadership, not ego-driven but heart-centered. Artists have the power to be creative leaders of this transformation. By embracing authenticity and sovereignty, we can inspire others to reconnect with their inner truth and sense of belonging. 

What projects are you currently working on, and how do they continue your exploration of art as a transformative force? 

I recently moved to Lugano, surrounded by mountains and beauty. My first painting here, Sovereignty, depicts Monte San Salvatore, a symbol of inner strength and independence. Alongside painting, I’ve started composing ambient, atmospheric music. My dream is to create an immersive exhibition where sound and image merge into one transformative experience. I want people to feel art not just visually but energetically, to step into that dance with the Divine themselves.