10 Questions with Nemanja Regodic

Born on the 6th of October 1997 in Novi Sad, Serbia, he graduated from the printmaking department at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad in 2022. During his studies, he participated in multiple exhibitions and concourses. In 2021 he participated in the exhibition of large-scale prints in Novi Sad. In 2022, he joined the printmaking colony in Bogdanci, Macedonia. The same year, he had a solo exhibition in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a part of the project “Jesen Grafike” (Autumn of Printmaking). During and after studies at the Academy, he developed his own style in the field of printmaking as well as other mediums, such as painting and digital images.

Through his artistic experience, Nemanja tries to incorporate the motifs he encounters in everyday life and mix them with his own perceptions. They are very often strange or ominous, often evoking a certain feeling of mystery or unease. His creative process begins with small sketches in his sketchbook (which he has used as artworks themselves), which he later scans and brings into a digital medium. He then continues experimenting with the drawings and creating his work through digital tools.

INTERVIEW

First of all, when and how did you start getting involved with visual arts? 

Generally speaking, I have been drawing since I was around two years old. I attended some drawing or painting workshops during elementary school. After that, I enrolled in a design high school and later in the academy of arts.

What for you is the most enjoyable part of your art?

I mostly enjoy finding new motifs and new ways to realize my work.

Let's talk about your work. Can you explain what your idea is and how you are working on it?

My work is still not grounded in one medium only. I often take inspiration from the medium itself. In printmaking, I use dark solid lines; in painting, I use more expressive language and thick layers of paint; in the digital area, I use many tools that cannot be used in analog ones. The majority of my motifs are figural, often a mix of human or animal forms, contorted and adjusting themselves to the frame of the work.

Where do you find inspiration for your work and what is your creative process like?

Most of my work is inspired by daily things I see, some of my activities, and other pieces of art that I draw inspiration from. My creative process is the opposite one from abstraction. I start with abstract shapes and think about colors, composition, and elements. Later then, they gain some form and then concrete motifs.

In your work you analyze everyday experiences and reproduce them through your own lens. How do you choose which ones to work with and how do you transform them into artworks?

My workflow doesn't have much logical direction, and I rely on intuition to do what I feel should be done.

Why do you use this visual language? And how did you develop your style? 

I use it because this way of expression comes naturally to me.
I gradually developed my style by working and drawing, trusting my instinct in how I should express myself.

Do you have any artist you particularly look up to, when creating your work?

Regarding the use of motifs, I like Giger and similar artists that use organic and alien-like anthropomorphic forms. When it comes to style and technique, I look up to more expressive and avant-garde artists.

What do you hope that the public takes away from your work?

I'm not particularly eager to ascribe much logic and meaning to my work. I put more emphasis on the feelings my work aims to evoke in public. I want to immerse the audience in an experience that might feel mysterious or introverted.

You are still very young, but you seem to already have a clear idea of your career path. How do you promote your work to different audiences? Do you take part in any online exhibition or art fair? Or do you prefer in-person events?

Although I know that I want my career to be in visual art and creativity, I still haven't set foot in the exact profession. I would like it to be in the design area but with the freedom to do it in my style. I try to showcase my work as much as possible. I send applications to many concourses and artist residencies.

What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future in terms of new projects? 

I am currently working on primarily digital works that I plan to incorporate into my portfolio for my master's degree.

Finally, do you have any upcoming shows or collaborations you are looking forward to?

I am looking forward to any opportunity that I can have. I don't have any upcoming concrete work. I recently had my first solo exhibition and am working on my master's applications. I also want to apply for a group exhibition with my friend from the department.