How do current trends in the artistic community influence your work?
There are at least two main trends right now in the artistic community that I’m noticing. First is by focusing on human beings, their relation to society, psychological condition and placement between past and the future. The second one is a turn towards abstraction, contemporary forms and shapes and digital realms. This is mainly how the young artists see art right now and also they’re often combining those trends into one piece of art. My collage artistic practice is by definition relating to a retro and vintage style but with my newest artworks I’m trying to include some futuristic and modern elements.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Trust in yourself more and be patient. Your small steps add up for a bigger result.
Did you always want to be an artist?
I have been drawing since early childhood. I was literally sick if I didn’t draw anything on a given day. To be honest I don’t like the word ‘Artist’ I see myself more as an executor of visual message or composition. My art is actually more about logical placement of objects than expressive gestures. Before I started studying at the Academy of Fine Arts I was applying for the Architecture Department at the University of Technology. Either way the visual expression is what I’m built for.
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
Creation. Period. You give a new birth to some visual forms. It is opening you and expanding your horizons. Hopefully it also opens and expands others. Another great thing is that you meet along the way like-minded people. Of course the message of Roger Scruton is not the same as Jacques Rancière for example when speaking about discourse of art so you need to find your own place and vision. The real adventure begins when you discover your own artistic language and you feel like you arrived home.
What is your artwork exploring, underneath everything?
This is the first question that I’m troubled by from the entire interview. I was always interested to understand human motives, choices, decisions, motivations, fears, desires etc. I started interesting psychology very early in my life. Back then an overload of this kind of knowledge firstly brought me a lot of trouble and literally crushed me. I just couldn’t function properly in the society while seeing all this as you mention ‘underneath’ aspects of life and behaviours. But now I am reaping the fruits of this knowledge and translating it into the language of art. I’m very inspired from the psychological point of view with artists such as Bosch, Bruegel, Escher or Memling. I draw also from the experience of Schwitters, Rauschenberg, Hausmann or Braque for the visual artistic solutions.
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