Cover Artist: Galaxy Epop

By Gina Malone

As an artist, Veronika Paderni prefers the name she uses in the creation of her digital art that is based in the study of numbers and symbols: Galaxy Epop. “Epop is derived from the Greek word epopteia, referring to those who return to witness rituals again,” she says. “In a philosophical sense, it symbolizes the culmination of purification and instruction, leading to the direct revelation of truth and contemplation of divine realities.” Epop, she adds, further suggests “blending esoteric knowledge with popular culture.”

Born in Brescia, Italy, near Milan, she grew up with the arts, spending time at the Uffizi Galleries and at churches in Florence. Her mother worked as an industrial entrepreneur and her father as an opera singer, which brought the music of Puccini and Verdi into her world. “When my father relocated to Rome, our family frequently visited the Vatican,” she says, “where we immersed ourselves in the masterpieces of Caravaggio, Bellini and Michelangelo, plus Neoclassical and Baroque arts.”

When she was in her twenties and thirties, Paderni traveled as a tour guide, spending a lot of time in another artistically and culturally abundant region: Egypt. “I developed a deep affection for Luxor and the rich Egyptian and Nubian cultures in Aswan,” she says.

In subsequent years, she moved to Miami and worked in her family’s restaurant in Coconut Grove. “During this time, I delved deeper into the study of symbols, numerology, archetypes, Fibonacci and sacred mathematics,” she says. “My creative inspiration comes from my husband, Daniele, who supports my research in symbolism and Pythagorean numerology.”

The couple relocated to West Asheville after falling in love with the vibrant arts scene and the beauty of the surrounding mountains. Paderni joined the staff at Gallery COR, where her work is displayed, and divides her time between working there and creating at home.

“Veronika’s digital collage works are wonderfully intricate and balanced, and each has a fascinating, multilayered story,” says Leslie Rowland, owner of Gallery COR. “People are drawn to art for different reasons. Two traits that draw me deeply into a work of art are eloquence of composition and a meaningful story. Veronika’s work has both. It’s a vibrant breath of fresh air.”

Paderni’s creative work includes collaborating with businesses and other artists on various projects and exhibitions. An example is a current collaboration focusing on stones, colors and numerology with Federica Cattani, who works in the hospitality industry in Florida. “This project will be proposed in the hotel industry design sector especially for boutique hotels and holistic resorts,” says Paderni.

She also hosts private events featuring art and numerology, and works with individual clients on commissioned artwork. “My works aim to help people in self-discovery and understanding their potential,” her website states. “Many of my works are tailored to the numerological characteristics of those who commission, and ultimately aim to elevate their spirit.”

Like archetypes, she explains, images have the ability to communicate universally. “Before creating, I have a concept in mind tied to numbers or symbols,” she says, “and through digital means I can express concepts with joy and lightness that might otherwise be difficult for me to convey in a language I don’t master perfectly. I’m passionate about colors and color combinations, but each chosen hue also reflects a concept I aim to express.”

She likens her art to fashion: “I never know what I will do in the next collection,” she says. “Arts and knowledge have always been my obsessions. Creating, for me, is like entering a trance state where I’m connected to an archetypal world of totem animals and power. Nature is the teacher of beauty, and as Dostoevsky said, beauty will save the world.”

Gallery COR is located at 19 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 12–4 p.m. Learn more at GalleryCOR.com. Find more of Veronika Paderni’s work at GalaxyEpop.com and follow her on Instagram @galaxyepop.