The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2023 - Issue 33

biteartistprofile Art captures Ivan’s attention through the pure freedom of expression and how people react to his version. “The mo- ment of total focus, leaving everything else around while painting. Enjoying the process, knowing your connection to every art can be different and the feeling while painting it.” He admitted it can be a love-hate thing, but that’s what he loves about it most. Art is defined in many ways, but Ivan's first art piece was graffiti with three letters 'Dis' on a school wall for wealthy kids. "Later on, it was an acrylic and watercolour painting on IKEA paper.” The artist is inspired by life and gets himself into the most fascinating situations. He gets energy from nature and loves spending time with himself or crowds of excit- ing and passionate people he can observe, talk and learn from. "People, nature, chaos, and the simple things in life. I am quite restless and have the drive to see a lot. It mostly comes from the peak of emotion." He wishes to explore life more by travelling, working on great projects, meeting and sharing ideas with interesting people and getting inspired by their stories. He would also like to work with sculpture and use new materials in special art collections and series. There is no right or wrong in his work message. “Art is only as good as it makes you feel something. No matter if it’s good or bad, only then you’ve done a good job as an art- ist.” He enjoys starting a blank canvas and getting excited about the first lines. “Then you add layers on layers until you think you’ve messed it up, but it’s only in your head. This is the worst part, but also the best; if you accept your situation and use the current emotion as inspiration to your advantage.” He revealed you could be in the flow and calm one mo- ment and then throw jars of paint at your canvas to elim- inate the frustration. Not knowing when to end can be an issue. “Finishing a painting without anyone’s feedback is the worst and the best thing that can happen. People tell me to do less because it’s more commercial, but I love to fall in love in the process. Losing yourself in the process is the biggest joy as an artist. It is reflection, therapy, love, hate, skill and freedom; it’s you without any filters.” Ivan believes a cutting-edge and successful artist is the “un- saturated wish to create and listen to your heart, not the market.” Besides that, it’s networking and self-marketing skills, structure and knowledge of the market’s workings. “To succeed these days, you need to be an artist and en- trepreneur to make a living.” While he respects the art in- dustry’s traditional ways, he sees much potential for new methods. “The pace is different; the art and its market con- stantly change.” He explained getting into a gallery is becoming difficult if you’re not from the art world or don’t have any connec- tions to this world. “This is why I opened my gallery called Notagallery, where we try to explore the space behind the rigid walls of the white cube,” he said. “It is a vibrant space where artists can meet, connect and support each other. The vision is to create an outstanding centre of art and cul- ture, setting up an international network of creative people worldwide.” Emerging artists are given a stage within group exhibi- tions. He further explained the space is focused on pro-