Contemporary Sculpture
& Public Art
by STILIANA ALEXIEVA
Shaping space through
colour, form & scale
Monumental sculpture that turns public space into a landmark.
Permanent and temporary public sculptures designed to become civic landmarks.
Each sculpture is a large-scale, high-gloss form built to draw people in, a destination people photograph, gather around and remember.
The practice
Inspired by childhood objects such as beach balls, marbles, candy and playground toys, Stiliana Alexieva creates monumental public sculptures that transform familiar memories into contemporary civic landmarks.
Her work distils the universal optimism of childhood into bold, highly polished forms designed for parks, plazas, waterfronts and public spaces. More than sculptural objects, they serve as symbolic anchors, inviting moments of pause, curiosity and human connection in an increasingly disconnected world.
Each sculpture reflects its surroundings, the sky, architecture, landscape and, most importantly, the people who encounter it. Viewers see themselves within the work, creating a quiet yet immediate reminder of presence, belonging and shared experience.
Selected works
Sphere of Happiness, Varna
A 191 cm fibreglass sphere approved and subsidised by the Varna Cultural Fund and the Municipality of Varna, to be displayed in the city centre. Currently in production.
2026 · 191 cm diameter · Fibreglass composite · Municipality of Varna / Cultural Fund
Stroykomplekt HQ, Sofia
A permanent 200 cm diameter sphere commissioned for the company headquarters, delivered from concept to installation.
2025 · 200 cm diameter · High-gloss fibreglass · Permanent installation
Ritz-Carlton Residences, Istanbul
A high-gloss fibreglass sphere presented at Istanbul Art Weeks and acquired for the Ritz-Carlton Residences collection.
2025 · 80 cm diameter · High-gloss fibreglass · Istanbul Art Weeks, with Artopol Art Gallery
'Happy Times', Florida
A 191 cm diameter sphere created for an Atlantic coast residence and engineered for salt air, humidity, strong sun and wind.
2025 · 191 cm diameter · High-gloss fibreglass composite · Private waterfront commission
Commissioning a sculpture
Stiliana Alexieva works with cities, developers, hospitality groups and private collectors to create site-specific sculpture that defines a place and endures within it. Each commission is developed in close dialogue with the client, the site and its community.
Why commission a sculpture
Instant landmark
A single sphere gives a site its identity.
Placemaking that performs
Designed to increase dwell time, footfall and social interaction, supporting measurable community and commercial impact.
Turnkey delivery
The artist carries fabrication, transport, installation and insurance, an accountable partner from concept to unveiling.
Built to last
Fibreglass high-gloss composite, stainless steel base and automotive-grade polyurethane, specified for outdoor permanence.
The process
From first visualisation to a finished landmark.
Render
A digital visualisation of the sphere placed in its future public setting.
Creation
The form taking shape in the workshop, before its high-gloss finish.
© 2026 Stiliana Alexieva.Result
The finished high-gloss sculpture — a few of the colours and lines have been tweaked by the clients — ready for installation.
Render
An early 3D study of the sphere, exploring form and scale before fabrication.
Primer
The full-scale sphere in the workshop, primed and ready for its colour composition.
Painting
High-gloss bands of colour applied by hand in the spray booth.
Installed
The finished sculpture on site, with the artist beside the completed work.
References
“Her sculptural concepts demonstrate a strong understanding of public space, visual impact and audience engagement.”
“She translates a joyful and visually striking artistic idea into a work that integrates naturally with the architecture and landscape of the site.”
“The sculpture demonstrated strong spatial presence and generated significant audience engagement throughout the event.”
“The craftsmanship, finish quality and visual presence of the work fully met our expectations.”
Materials & technical specification
- Material & structure
- High-gloss fibreglass-reinforced composite, hand-laminated as a seamless shell with concealed internal reinforcement. Made by a reputable EU manufacturer.
- Dimensions & weight
- Custom diameters from 1.0 m to 3.0 m, approx. 25–150 kg depending on size.
- Surface finish
- Ultra-smooth continuous curvature with no visible seams or air bubbles. Automotive-grade multi-layer paint, UV-stable, anti-yellowing, waterproof topcoat.
- Colour & coating
- Multicolour abstract RAL-coded design with a high-gloss mirror finish and long-term fade resistance.
- Durability & safety
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor installation. Weatherproof and heat-resistant (-20°C to +50°C), low-VOC non-toxic coatings, rust-proof hardware, built for long-term public-space endurance.
- Base & anchoring
- Reinforced base with concealed structure and a 4-point base plate. Compatible with concrete, gravel bed or platform foundations; custom bases available.
- Maintenance
- Simple wipe-down cleaning, with an annual clear-coat inspection recommended.
- Transport & installation
- Crate-secured for international transport in protective custom crates. Professional installation available (forklift or small crane if required). Production 3–5 weeks from deposit, with optional site-specific customisation.
- Origin
- Fabricated in the European Union.
How a commission works
Conversation and site
We talk through the space, the people who use it and what you want the work to do.
Concept and visualisation
You receive scale, colour and placement studies made for your site, ready to sign off.
Fabrication
The work is built to specification against an agreed programme.
Delivery and installation
Secure anchoring, logistics, installation and handover, with a maintenance plan to keep it looking right.
Ideal for
For open calls and RFQs
Available for public art open calls, RFQs, RFPs and invited commissions internationally. A full credentials and proposal pack — statement of interest, CV, concept, materials specification and references — is ready to submit.
Stiliana Alexieva
Stiliana Alexieva is a British-Bulgarian sculptor with 20+ years of international practice. Selected for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition four times and shortlisted in 2026. Her work is held by the Royal Family of Qatar, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Formula 1 HQ, with public commissions across Europe, the US and the Middle East.
About the Artist
Education
- Goldsmiths University, London, 2015-2016
- University of West London, 2003-2005
- New Bulgarian University, 1998-2001
Artist Statement
My father was a renowned sculptor, and being exposed early to his practice introduced me to scale, form, and the discipline of public sculpture. That environment shaped my understanding of how art can inhabit space, influence emotion, and become part of a community’s identity. This foundation continues to inform the clarity, ambition, and spatial awareness that define my own large-scale work.
Ultimately, my practice seeks to reconnect a disconnected world not through complexity, but through clarity, colour, and the emotional power of form. Spheres of Joy is created in service of that purpose: an invitation to pause, to breathe, and to remember the joy we share.
Why work with Stiliana Alexieva
- Twenty years delivering internationally collected work
- Experience collaborating with developers, municipalities and galleries
- Complete process from concept through fabrication and installation
- Proven ability to create engaging destination landmarks
- International logistics and fabrication network
- Proposal documentation ready for RFQs and public procurement
Alongside public sculpture, Stiliana's practice spans aluminium seascape paintings, book sculptures and bronze works, each exploring how form and material are experienced through space, light and movement.
Selected exhibitions
Earlier exhibitions include Chicago, Toronto, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Milan, Edinburgh, Dublin, Boston, Houston and Istanbul.
Selected Collections & Clients
Bring a landmark to your space
Whether you are shaping a public square, a development, a hotel or a private collection, Stiliana works with you from first idea to installation.