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An interview with Djordje
Prudnikoff
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* As the First Prize winner in Realism in the 2000 International Art Contest, being selected by such a diverse group of artists from all around the world, how do
you feel?
I feel wonderful but would like to share that feeling with all those who belong to the same category in painting. In order to explain that feeling, I would have to recollect the time of my beginnings as a painter and it was the time dominated by abstract painting, the time when I was greeted with contempt and disrespect. It is a pleasure to see the transformation. In the name of all those artists who deserved to be awarded and did not have that privilege during their lifetime, I would like to say - thank you.
* Please describe your current works and any plans for forthcoming exhibits.
I would not talk about that. One of my paintings is about to be completed, and there will be exhibitions. My primary wish is to find a country where I can live in peace.
* Do you think that the fine artist will survive as technology replaces our skills?
It is only natural that a man turns to a man, and that is the essence. I wonder what I would feel like if my friends looked like Martians. Due to the inborn curiosity we tend to make a short creative
excursion until our paintings look as if Martians painted them. But in the end we return to ourselves as humans.
* What advice could you give to those embarking upon a career as an artist?
The generation gap between the younger generation and me is great, so are our emotions different. It is therefore difficult to give an advice, maybe that they should persist in whatever they truly believe.
* Why did you enter the Art Dept contest and what decided your selection for entry?
Partaking in the Artdept Contest means that you are a participant of a grand international exhibition as all the paintings are displayed for viewing.
* Is there anything about being an artist that you do not like?
I can speak about myself as an artist existing in my country, where respect for painters is lacking, though generally speaking we are envied for our freedom and independent way of life.
* Would you sell your most favourite artwork, or keep it?
I am closely tied to some of my paintings because of the nostalgic feeling, and if I sold them it would be like loosing a part of my past life. This refers to paintings that bear my deep emotions, which actually contribute to their high quality, therefore making them dearer. It means, of course, that they are also for sale - how odd!
* How important was education and training to you?
For a realist painter it is very important to be supervised by an instructor while studying anatomy and drawing. The technique itself is mastered during the process of painting. And apart from the brief lessons about the painting media (brushes, paint, etc.) received from an instructor or a colleague, a painter creates his own technique. His technique depends on how he visualizes his model.
* Is there anything in your art career that you would have changed?
They say that a painter should go through hardships in his life in order to produce a soul. I would certainly like to make some changes but do not know how to go back. Have they not already invented that time machine?
* If you were invited overseas to exhibit your works, where would you like that to be?
Being an ambitious Aries, known for hitting his head against a wall, I would like to exhibit at a place with the toughest competition. I would also like to live in a nice place with lots of friends, where it would be possible for me to paint.
* Are you looking forward to entering the contest for next year?
Had it not been for the Artdept Contest I would not have painted this year because of our political situation. For the time being, Artdept is my main motivator and for that I am grateful.
* Do you recommend use of the Internet for an artist's publicity? If you have sold works via the Internet can you describe how it went?
Internet is an extraordinary communication means, meaning for getting into contact with people only, at least when speaking from my experience. It is difficult to bring a decision to buy any of my paintings only by viewing it on
Internet. It has to bee seen in life, because they look much better in life. Direct contact is necessary.
* How can the Internet be made better for working artists?
When the technology reaches the stage which enables you to sit in front of a PC, speak your own language, and the correspondent on the other side can see you and understand you, with a help of an audio interpreter, and you don't have to hit the keys and write mails, it will be much easier.
Djordje
Art Dept interviews the 2000 Prize Winners
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