Interview with Marija Nikolic
O-A: What is art to you?
Marija Nikolic: First and foremost, art to me is a visual language, but also an excellent introspection tool.
A way to channel my urge to convey thoughts, emotions, and statements. The goal of this communication is not only directed towards the observer of my finished work, rather there is a constant exchange between the painting and myself.
O-A: What wouldn’t you do without art? What did you discover, achieve with it?
Marija Nikolic: I wouldn’t be an artist…
I wouldn’t be able to express my creative side, which would in some ways make me a less complete individual. I would also lack a very effective way to relax and escape the daily routines and struggles.
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O-A: What was the most interesting statement you heard about your work?
Marija Nikolic: During one of my exhibitions, an observer near me mentioned how one of my paintings had a profoundly relaxing and positive effect on them, even though the image itself was very minimal and the observer was not particularly interested in art or thought that it could have any effect on him. I felt especially pleased as that was my exact aim for that particular artwork. It proved to me that I succeeded in my creative intent.
O-A: How do you search for inspiration and themes for your work?
Marija Nikolic: The relationships between color values seem to connect most of my work, so I would make that one of the main drives for my expression. Inspiration can come from anywhere, but it’s not required in order to start with my work. Sometimes a hint of inspiration might happen while I’m painting, and not before. One element can lead me to introduce another until harmony is established. My process is very systematic and does not depend on inspirative moments, but relies on ideas and visualizations. Usually, artists who are heavily expressive almost depend on constant surges of inspiration, but that does not apply to me.
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O-A: How has your art changed over time? Why?
Marija Nikolic: My earlier abstract works were a bit more complex and relied on painting within a specific set of rules that I needlessly imposed. There is a specific process continually going on with every creation as I tend to retain what is relevant and remove the irrelevant. Through the reduction of everything unnecessary, with every new painting produced, I’m getting closer to my true and unique visual language.
O-A: How do you name your artworks?
Marija Nikolic: The paintings that have an associative value, often get names that are closest to my association. I’m never too specific with naming an abstraction as I want the observer to develop his/her own personal experience and interpretation. Sometimes the names might appear abstract themselves…haha…
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Styles of art:
Geometric Abstraction, Minimalism Painting
Interview with Marija Nikolic 30.11.2020
