Dessislava Terzieva founded a clothing line called *Paid actor that uses recycled apparel and fabrics. She tells SEEN about making wearable art.
By Stephanie Steinberg
Photography by Justin Milhouse
Name: Dessislava Terzieva
Age: 28
City: Detroit
Hometown: Sofia, Bulgaria
1. How long have you been in Detroit or Metro Detroit?
20 years
2. How would you describe yourself in a sentence?
I wouldn’t π
3. What age did you start doing art?
I have always been creative.
4. What medium do you typically work with?
Collage β the combination of pre-existing elements to create entirely new realities and narratives in 2D, 3D and wearable formats.
5. How would you describe your artwork?
Conceptually led and aesthetically correct.
6. Where do you find inspiration?
In the infinite ways there is to be a human.
7. Whatβs it like being an artist in Detroit?
Convenient due to accessibility to space and materials, and frustrating due to the lack of a market.
8. Whatβs one of your favorite pieces youβve made?
The one I make tomorrow, followed by the next.
9. Tell us about your clothing line called *Paid actor.
It is composed of wearable sculptures, which are made entirely of recycled apparel and fabrics. Given that my background is in political science and law (I took a detour and ended up in the world of art and fashion β where my heart feels free) it is my way of making a stance against fast fashion and the absolute horror the industry causes to our planet (second dirtiest industry after oil).
10. Whoβs one of your favorite artists?
David Hammons
11. Where can we find your work?
Visit my website dessislava.xyz, or paid.actor.com or @paid.actor on Instagram.
12. Do you have any upcoming shows?
Yes. Follow me on Instagram at @de_ssi_sla_va to stay up to date.
Read about more emerging artists in SEEN’s Art Issue.
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