Interview: Mina Stefanovic

In conversation with UK-based Serbian artist Mina Stefanovic.

Can you talk about your journey into or interest the arts?

I was always surrounded by art from a young age. My parents were into art collecting. It came naturally. Art was always part of me. I went on to study fine art at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. After my studies I got opportunity to be part of group exhibitions at Tate Britain, Tate Modern and Wellcome Collection.

Can you talk about the influences upon your work?

My childhood friend. From a young age we were always creating and doing little art project and as we grew they turned into bigger art projects. Life influences my work and when I want to tell about it I tell it better through art.

What themes are you exploring through your work?

I enjoy exploring ideas of repetitive patterns, collection of things, memories. Also looking at the movement and fluidity of the body form. My work involves exploring shapes through fragility of a line and it dwells on qualities of quietness and intimacy, cherishing the extraordinary that lies within the ordinary.

You have an interest in simplicity and reducing drawings to simple forms. This notion of simplicity can be more complex than people first realise. What is our specific interest in this area?

For me, it’s about accentuating a form but also leaving it to the viewer’s interpretation. Also female nude is a fascinating, especially exploring the perception of female beauty. It’s an amazing way to explore many languages of identity, society and sexuality. I like the polarisation of the nude, it makes people feel a little uneasy. Your body is both a symbol of liberalism and a symbol of restriction.