ARTIST DANICA MAKSIMOIVĆ | SERBIA
Introducing you to the young artist from Serbia, Danica Maksimović, whose world of art is defined by colors, shapes, and innovation. Her creative journey, shaped by painting and innovative mosaics made from electronic waste, reveals not only her technical virtuosity but also a deep connection to ecology. Her artistic vision breathes life into history, city landmarks, and the eternal inspiration, Nikola Tesla. Join us in a fascinating conversation about art, recycling, and creative plans for the future.
Danica, could you share how you discovered your passion for painting and what was the key inspiration for venturing into the paths of art?
I have been drawing and painting since elementary school. During one school magazine interview, I stated my desire to pursue painting in the future. The sense that art was my calling seemed to have been with me forever, but the main motivation came from a competition held by the Educational-Scientific Program of RTS (Radio Television of Serbia) called "My Childhood - Children of Kosovo and Metohija." My drawing won second place, confirming that someone recognized my work and that what I was doing made sense.
After elementary school in Gračanica, I decided to enroll in the Art School in Niš, followed by the Faculty of Arts, where I graduated as a Master of Fine Arts. The experiences at the academy were invaluable. We had great professors, each passing on their experience and knowledge. I learned a lot, and I am endlessly grateful to my professors. Through studying, you transform all the knowledge you've gained into your style, and having mentors who support you during your studies is crucial. My mentor, Prof. Katarina Đorđević, was the right choice and helped me understand the questions and obstacles on the creative path. We don't become artists on our own; it's thanks to education and the opportunity to learn, improve, and progress in this field.
In addition to painting, you've experimented with sculpture. Could you tell us more about the beginnings of your exploration into sculpture and how you decided to delve into this artistic branch?
I encountered sculpture for the first time in the entrance exam for the Art School and scored the highest in sculpting, which may sound incredible. Since I didn't have the conditions to prepare for the entrance exam like other students, I managed to enroll in the direction I wanted - art technician - without preparation.
Sculpting is my first love; I even considered studying sculpture. Sculpting allows you to express yourself in space; it's something else, it's freedom. In painting, regardless of the format you choose, it imposes some limits. In sculpture, that's not the case - the sky's the limit.
I explore almost all art techniques. In the final semester of my master's studies, I participated in a student exchange project and spent several months in Veliko Trnovo, Bulgaria, where I tried stained glass and working with glass, enriching my skills with yet another technique.
How would you describe your artistic identity, and how do you believe it is reflected in your works? Which themes inspire you the most?
Artistic identity is essentially what defines the being that creates a work, something you've built over the years, your personal expression. However much you try to hide something when you start working on a painting, for example, what you've tried to hide deep within will surface without you even knowing it. When I look at my works from a temporal distance, I can recognize what I am currently speaking about.
Currently, I am inspired by themes related to our scientist Nikola Tesla, and besides that, history and city landmarks inspire me.
Your mosaics made from electronic waste are truly unique. How did you come up with the idea of using such material, and could you describe the creation process?
Thank you primarily for your kind words about my work and the support I feel from your side. Apart from painting, I have a keen interest in ecology and recycling. Out of these interests and a certain amount of electronic waste I had at home, the idea of starting a series of mosaics from electronic waste was born.
The creation process is complex; it took me a lot of time to conceive the technique itself and finalize the entire physically demanding process that requires technical precision.
The challenge is first to find material - electronic waste, graphics cards, cables, power supplies, keyboards, headphones, etc. All components are prepared and shaped, then glued to a base, also made from recycled materials (compressed tetrapak). Unlike traditional mosaics that use mortar and stone, which I replaced with electronic waste, I added epoxy resin, a popular material today, to the mixture.
How have people reacted to your mosaics made from electronic waste? Is there a particular reaction that stands out in your memory?
The audience reactions are positive. My goal was to raise awareness and highlight pollution issues and the significance of recycling, and I succeeded because many people contacted me, wanting to donate materials. We all have waste reserves at home that will end up in a landfill one day, so people were pleased to participate in recycling through art.
What are the key principles of your artistic philosophy, and what values do you consider crucial in defining your artistic work?
The artistic philosophy I follow and what I am currently doing is that "Art recycles in the process," and it should be ecologically engaged in the 21st century. An artist creates in the time they live, and I believe they should reflect the spirit of that time. This can be called artistic values that accompany me as a creator.
What are your plans and ambitions for the future? Do you have any projects or ideas you plan to realize in the coming period, and how do you see your further development as an artist?
There are always plans for the future and room for further development and progress as an artist. I prefer to live in the present and enjoy the creative process; that's when I feel complete, successful, and happy. I don't dream too much, but, of course, I make plans.
I hope to organize an exhibition dedicated to Nikola Tesla in the near future, portraying his life and inventions. Tesla is an eternal inspiration for me.
In the world of Danica's creations, shapes become stories, innovations become expressions, and ecology becomes art. We eagerly await the new challenges Danica will present to us, confident that each new creation will bring a fresh stamp of her artistic spirit, infused with inexhaustible creativity.
Photos: Danica Maksimović, Artist