13 Questions with Nevena Ivanovic Guagliumi Finalist of the 13 & 14th ARTE LAGUNA PRIZE

Nevena Ivanovic Guagliumi, is an Italy based multidisciplinary Serbian artist, mostly oriented toward the drawing in her artistic expression.

www.nevenaig.com | @nevenaig

At the age of five, Nevena Ivanovic Guagliumi has lost her sense of smell. More than two decades later, I've found out that humans react differently to the natural smells of people in their surroundings, and in this way, they intuitively understand whether they want to build a connection with them. Being deprived of that possibility at an early age, all I could count on were my interlocutor's eyes. I started to draw very early, and I started with portraits. Through portraits, and while absorbing the influences of art surrounding Nevena Ivanovic, most of all literature, music, and film, her work has been formed toward the style that could have been explained the closest by the Magic Realism of Haruki Murakami. Using metaphors, the artist Nevena Guagliumi want to offer to the reality of human some different point of view, a story, that, maybe, has been even a dream, because it was too vivid to be a memory.

Interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj.

Nevena Ivanovic Guagliumi, Welcome to Al-Tiba9. For how long have you been in art? How did you start? 

Thank you for having me! 

A story still circulating in my family that my father, self-thought artist, very gladly tells. I was two years old when I sneaked into my parents' bed, and, since I woke them up, my mom went to the kitchen to make a coffee. At the moment, she heard my father calling her from their room, saying: "Come to see what Nevena drew!" She came there looking for a piece of paper, but on her confused look, my father, all proud, answered showing- the bed. We are talking about the sofa bed, that, once it's converted, reaches two squared meters. So my felt pen drawing covered the whole space, making sure it will never be washed away. 

A later episode was when I stayed home alone with my baby sister, three or four years old. So I was looking at my father's painting, where he, among other elements, depicted the carton model of the Sun. To me, it wasn't shiny enough, so I found my mother's gold nail polish, and- I fixed the Sun. 

I think that thanks to the fact I'm raised by two very creative people, surrounded by their arts, good literature, and good music, the art came as the most natural way to me. In elementary school, I knew I want to create. Even then, I was creating. My whole childhood led to the High School of Art, which I finished in my hometown. It just continued further through the History of Art (University of Belgrade), and right after fresco and icon painting (Academy of Serbian Orthodox Church for Fine Arts and Conservation).

At the age of five, you lost your sense of smell. How does this impact your perception of the world? 

We heard many times how people that remain without one of the senses get other senses sharper with the time. I got my sixth sense the sharpest- intuition. Since I was so small I couldn't talk, my parents say I used to react very "openly" to people- if I liked them, they knew it. So did the other ones, as well, for better or for worse. They say I was never wrong in sensing their characters, and later. Remaining without the sense of smell ( as one of the main "recognition signs" in humans, as I found out a lot later), my intuition only grew stronger- I was always only looking in the eyes. The eyes are always telling me even more than I sometimes want to know.  

Very interesting! Then could you tell our readers how you define yourself as an artist? 

I am interested in people about what they carry around on their shoulders, in their hearts, what they dreamed, and what they still dream about. I like to evoke those, usually by reality forbidden, childhood fantasies. I want to prove them real. Possible. I couldn't call my art surreal, as well, because it's not automatic.

On the contrary, it's thoroughly ruminated, deliberated. I write down my metaphors, and then I depict them. Especially when there are elements that defy all laws of logic- that's where my intention is the most visible. For example, in literature, Haruki Murakami explained it as a "Magical realism." Naturally, I would never go so far to compare my work to his, but let's say that he gave me the closest term to my artistic way. 

What is your intention behind your drawing and painting work? 

As I previously stated, I want to remind people who they were before the grown-up reality entered the scene. I think that's the biggest reason of all our miseries. We are raised to pursue material goods. And- look!- when we say someone is good, we don't refer to his material goods. One earthquake is enough for one to stay without all the wealth he was chasing his whole life. No earthquake destroys the goods a child posses. So, this utopian world of rich souls drives my art. That's who we are, but we easily forget.  

What's the thing that's continuously surprised you about the art market over the years? 

I am always delighted to see the installations and assemblages, especially the way they are growing their interconnection with digital worlds and technologies. Art isn't a closed world, and as such, it always amazes me to see where its door opens to! 

Which of your artworks has given you the most satisfaction?

My work I love the most is called “I can still smell the ground, and many people in it are always with me ”, and it's from the series “Eat, buy, consume, live”. I drew one old photo of my family from one of many celebrations. But on that one is my grandfather, whom I was the most bound to. On the drawing it's me who's offering him the book on the plate. It makes me strangely calm seeing us together, since he died when I was five years old. I was never able to accept that as a definite reality, so, I used my art to prove myself right. On the same drawing another grandfather of mine, holds a book, that I made myself, and I filled it with the poem of my favourite writer, Miloš Crnjanski, the poem I strongly connect to these few years I get the luck of spending with my grandfather.

You've mentioned that by Using metaphors, you offer a different perception of humans' reality that might be a dream because it is too vivid to be a memory. How do you integrate art into your life?

That comfort that makes one's deepest wishes realized in a visualisation, to show that it is all possible. And real. That's what I strive to offer to the others, as well.

For the second year, you are selected as a finalist artist in Arte Laguna Prize in Venice, Italy, to show your work in the Arsenale, Venice Biennale venue. What does this mean for you as an emergent artist? 

In my first year of High School, our professors took us to Belgrade, the international exhibition of modern and contemporary art. I remember clearly the moment I started fantasizing about being a part of it. Such amazing artists, highly intellectual artworks, made my brain going wild! 

Exactly 15 years later, I entered the Arsenale, the opening night, and there it was- all the art my mind and heart needs, only better. The fresh art, strong scene, the same old awe I had as a 14 years old girl, and then- there was my work among them. I have never felt that much support and recognition in my entire life as that night, and no one even told me a word! 

Being chosen twice, and by a different jury this time, really made me feel well and responsible. I saw my place among incredibly talented artists, and I need to keep it. It made me want to improve my work, way of thinking, and perceive the world around me to improve myself. 

And the last, but never the least, all the opportunities Arte Laguna brought to their artists are an incredibly huge thing. I said it many times, and I will say it always- being chosen as a finalist brings you victory. 

What do you hope that the public takes away from the selected work in Arte Laguna Prize?

This year's mess changed some rules in the organization of the Arte Laguna Prize's 14th edition. But, Laura Gallon isn't the one to be stopped easily. Gathering us all on online conversations, she also introduced all of us to the public and created a particular feel of home-like amongst the finalist. That way, I got to learn about them on a deeper level, and it makes me incredibly proud to stay in touch with them. 

This is what made me see this edition's qualities. Not only that, the public can visit the exhibition, but they will also learn about artists' points of view, their intimate hopes. The public gets to knows us in the way it might have missed while only watching works—all four winners in particular. I have a feeling that put together; these four works make one perfect, complete being. 

We are attending the show in Arsenale of Venice on 13 March 2021 to see your work and meet you there. Can our readers join us for the award ceremony? Please, tell us more… 

Last year I was walking with my husband toward the Arsenale from the flat we stayed in. On our walk, a man approached us, asking if we know the way to Arsenale Nord. After we answered that it's where we're headed to, it turned out he applied for the 13th edition but hasn't been chosen. Still, he was same excited as I was! 

That's the feeling Arte Laguna gets out of you. Whether as a participant or observer, it engages you intellectually, emotionally. It makes you a part of it! It will forever be my favorite experience, and I will always need to spread that joy to everyone! 

So I definitely need to use this chance to invite everyone next year to come to Arsenale and enjoy all the amazing art. The entrance is free, but you will gain so much!

Besides being a talented and creative person, you are also very curious and thirsty for learning new things every day. How do you keep yourself up to date with the latest trends and technologies that have today a significant impact on your artistic production?

I am married to a very open mind programmer. Watching his work makes me want to understand it. I often make him explain to me what's he doing and how it works.

I get updated with the technology, that in many ways, triggers ideas on which I am working now. Living with my husband means getting exciting and unusual points of view and gives me always more possibilities of thinking outside of a box. 

Then, there's my sister, who is a very talented speech therapist, very passionate about her work, and interested in neuroscience. We often talk about those fields. Being interested in who we are, makes me want to know the anatomy and the science behind it, especially the science we cannot comprehend by our senses, or the one that still isn't explored at it's fullest—just one of the charms of living in this time.  

We are delighted to welcome you to the Al-Tiba9 team as a creative coordinator. What do you hope to take away from this a new creative journey?

I found about Al-Tiba9 last year, thanks to Arte Laguna. Since then, I am having my need for quality art content completely satisfied. Being introduced with so thoroughly chosen artists necessarily triggers my brain and need to work more. Al-Tiba9 is opening the door of an entirely new art scene, and I am so impatient to enter it! 

In your opinion, what makes the freedom of an artist?

Most of all, being honest and having the courage to stay honest- to ourselves first. The responsibility is great but will always worth it. Whatever you do- own it, one will ever take that away from you, both good and bad.

Finally, What other interests do you have outside of art?

Outside of visual art, I am passionate about movies, books, and music. Then, outside of the art world, it's nature (even though I often find myself connecting these two tightly lately), medicine, maths, psychology, and technology. The list is long, but let's say the stated fields are the ones I always turn to.