ÁBØUT
Føgrà is a graphic artist, graphic designer, painter & illustrator. She was born in Rīga, during Soviet occupation, to jazz musicians. Her images are largely influenced by her classical music education. After earning a BA degree in Graphic Arts, Føgrà traveled to New York City, a move that she attributes to the musician Sting who, as she puts it: “Infected me with such harmonies that pulled me straight out of the tuneless and harsh world of my past.”
Føgrà is an artist behind Penguin Random House’s 𝒩 °1 Amazon and 𝒩ew York Times bestseller book “Beyond Order” that is sprinkled with classical imagery. She’s also a graphic designer behind “Best of Bob Marley” album cover art from Tuff Gong, a record label founded by Bob Marley in 1970. And an artist behind the poster for a film from an American actress Rutanya Alda who starred in “The Dear Hunter” alongside Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken. She also starred in “Rocky II” alongside Sylvester Stalone. And in “Hi Mom” and “Greetings” alongside Robert De Niro. She was a guest star on “Law & Order” portraying four different characters in all three primary shows. Rutanya was married to Richard Bright, the star of “The Godfather’s I and III” and of “Once Upon a Time in America”. Her new film “Land of the Mustaches” was directed by Leon Joosen (who is behind “The Little Mermaid II” and “Scooby-Doo II” animations) and edited by David Ray (the legendary editor behind the “Scarface”, “A Bronx Tale” and dozens of others). There I was, designing for those who have seen it all, for the critics and the pickers of major studio’s posters. She is currently engaged in creating illustrations for “Dante’s Guide to Life”.
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– “I think the Poster is wonderful and precisely captures, in visual terms, the spirit of the film. Her work is extraordinary”. – David Ray (film editor)
– “The Poster seems to be universally loved for both its artistry and its feeling for the film. It is stunning”. – Leon Joosen (film & animation director)
– “I admire her work and I think it’s clever. I think she have a very special talent, which makes her rare”. – Marco Pierre White (3-Michelin-star chef)
– “Her images are characterized by a deep sense of a story beyond the image – a feature pushed to its limit”. – Dr. Jordan B Peterson (psychologist)
– “Føgra is a great artist. Forever grateful for her talent”. – Rutanya Alda (actress)
– “When I was completing my book “Dante’s Guide to Life” and thinking about a cover illustrator, I realized that only a select few artists would be able to match (and evoke) the book’s aesthetic sensibility. Among those few artists, Føgrà was at the top of my list. I sensed that she was a visionary artist who would be able to illuminate Dante and his Divine Comedy through her art. Suffice it to say that she did not disappoint. Not only did she create a pitch-perfect cover illustration for the book; she also designed the entire cover. The result is a beautiful, captivating cover that is impossible to take your eyes off of—a fitting artistic entryway to a writer (Dante) and a book (Inferno) that have been captivating the world for the past 700 year”. – Daniel Ross Goodman (writer and scholar)
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“Føgrà – a Book of Visual Art” won Best-of-Best title from Design Masterprize ‘24. Partnered with Guggenheim Bilbao & Architecture Masterprize, Design Masterprize recognized remarkable achievements of Føgrà as a creator. Best-of-Best title is a prestigious accolade and signifies unparalleled excellence in design.
Additionally, she received Gold from Graphis ‘26 for the artistry of contemporary poster design work, which will appear alongside the official posters for the television shows “The Agency” and “Squid Game”. This was something she thought was unattainable while looking through the publication’s older editions in her college years. Graphis is a chronicler of creative excellence spanning eight decades since their founding in Switzerland in 1944.
CØNTÁCT
TÁLKS
Dr. Jordan B Peterson Podcast [ #157 ] —
In this podcast they discuss the significance of the imagery Føgra illustrated for his book “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”, which has sold more than five million copies worldwide. Dr. Jordan B Peterson is a well renowned author and psychologist. He taught some of the most highly relevant courses at Harvard University and the University of Toronto.
The Joe Rogan Experience [ #1769 ] —
“Yuliya’s drawings are unbelievably beautiful and deep. She’s so good at this. She produced every 3 days for 3 months. Her drawings are full of pathos and sorrow for the subject-matter’s suffering. It worked out nicely because when I was so ill I had something to look forward to, because I knew Yuliya is gonna send me a beautiful image and I didn’t know what it’s gonna be!” – a segment presenting Dr. Jordan B Peterson’s sharing his experience and process collaborating with Føgrà on “An ABC of Childhood Tragedy” accumulating 8.1M views to date on the youtube channel only.
Design Masterprize —
“Visual Alchemy in Print: Føgra’s Art-Book Odyssey”. Føgrà— a Visual Book of Art distills four decades of fascination with Soviet Cubism, photomontages, vintage illustrations and poster art into 138 graphics that converse with poetic fragments of her family’s ancestry.
The Times of Israel —
“Føgrà stars in Dr. Jordan B Peterson’s podcast. The famous clinical psychologist used his popular podcast to introduce Føgrà’s art to millions of his followers. The two spent over 80 insightful minutes musing over life, art and rather inevitably, oppressive Soviet ideology.
