10 Questions with Mario Devcic

Mario Devcic is a sculptor from Croatia. He is a member of International Surrealism now - the largest exhibition of surrealism in the world - and the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism. His work was published in more than 200 newspapers and portals worldwide, from BBC to Times Square giants screen. He has gallery representation in the USA with Corvidae Gallery in Nashville, TN, Storyopolis, in Dallas,TX, and Europe with Macabre Gallery in London. In 2019 he exhibited his work in Paris at the Louvre museum. He was recently selected for Florence Biennale 2021. His work can also be found on the Amedeo Modigliani foundation as a tribute to the 100th anniversary of Modigliani’s death.

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ARTIST STATEMENT

“A sculptor born and raised in Croatia during the greatest turmoil in Balkans poured his state of mind into his sculptures as an only escape from a terrifying reality and consequences of war.

Weaved out of primordial materials, such as wood and clay, combined with modern materials such as metal and plastic, sculptures are expressing raw and basic impulses, fears, and desires. Created in a mixed media technique, they remind the audience, and the author himself, that life consists of many events and feelings that create the wholeness and the experience of an individual at the same time. The modern materials describe a modern man who is at his core, unfortunately, remained unchanged since the beginning. The open mouth in almost every piece talks about hunger, though not the physical one, rather anguish that consumes and destroys his and everyone else’s humanity. Even though they seem pessimistic, they are actually very optimistic as they represent a soul-healing process for this artist.”

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River Styx, Mixed media sculpture, 70x55x25 cm. Mario Devcic©

INTERVIEW

Could you tell us a little more about your background? How did you start getting interested in sculpting?

My first experience with art was in kindergarten, we had to paint flowers with tempera, but my flowers didn't turn out good telling by the look on my teachers. They told me that everything would be ok because there is a lot of jobs besides art. It turns out that my teachers were wrong. Before 90's life was innocent for me as a child. But everything went down in 1991 in Croatia, war has begun, and my father went on the front line. For 5 years, we didn't know if he was going to come home alive. I don't want to bore you with this hell on earth!

Since childhood, war is permanently stuck in the memory, dreams, nerves, heart... After the war, my family decides to move to Pula, a nice and peaceful 3000 years old city on the Adriatic sea coast. There I finished my art education at the School of Art and Design, studying sculpture. 10 years after school, I was in a metal band and was alienated from sculptures, but in 2010, something changed in me, and I decided to get back to my first love, surreal, expressionist, dark art.

What is your personal aim as an artist?

Quite egocentric at first, I wanted to achieve some kind of soul-healing process that I needed at the time. In that process, I discover that I have more things to say in this type of art than in music. My bucket list in art has become small over the years because I managed to exhibit with some of my art heroes, and in the places where I was a boy could only dream. So my only aim is to continue with exhibitions and one day live from my art exclusively. I would also like to find an art gallery or agent to focus on my sculptures. And if I touch some people on that journey, I would be blessed.

What art do you most identify with? How does it influence your work?

I like the automatism of Surrealism and that fine escape from reality but with a dark twist because I would lie to everybody and myself if I don't accept that this part of me is sometimes wining inside. Expressiveness is the ingredient that I need the most in my work, so in the end, it's the mixture of neo -surrealism and figurative expressionism.

Different materials, both natural and artificial, seem to be very important for your work to convey messages. Can you tell us something about that?

Weaved out of primordial materials, such as wood and clay, combined with modern materials such as metal and plastic, sculptures are expressing raw and basic impulses, fears, and desires. Created in a mixed media technique, they remind the audience and me that life consists of many events and feelings that create the wholeness and the experience of an individual at the same time. The modern materials describe a modern man who, at his core, unfortunately, remained unchanged since the beginning.

What is the most challenging part of your work?

The most challenging thing is to focus on my art and find time for work because I still cannot live just from my art. These sculptures are not for everybody's taste, so it's challenging to find galleries and collectors.

Mostar - Divided city, Mixed-media sculpture, 30x35x20 cm. Mario Devcic©

Where do you find inspiration?

A lot of artists struggle with a lack of inspiration sometimes. I don't have that problem because my inspiration comes from my memories or people I encounter during my stay on this planet. I'm trying to encapsulate raw emotions. Just turn the tv on, and the horror begins.

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

Honesty! The open mouth in almost every piece talks about hunger, though not the physical one, rather an anguish that consumes and destroys its own and everyone else's humanity. Even though they seem pessimistic, they are actually very optimistic as they represent a soul-healing process for me and maybe for you. It's fine not to be ok sometimes.

How does your personal life influence your art?

I'm afraid my personal life is my art.

You arrived!, Mixed media sculpture, 75x23x23 cm. Mario Devcic©

What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future? Anything exciting you can tell us about?

Yes, I'm invited to the Florence Biennale 2021, and I'm working on new sculptures for this year's exhibitions, so I hope that coronavirus is past and we can all enjoy old "normal" things.

Finally, share something you would like the world to know about you?

I will not be so arrogant and say that my or anyone else's art can change the world but give a slap. And it reminds us to take our eyes off the screen and start living. I'm just an artist who struggles with his demons. I've seen and felt every emotion that I represent in my work. Sometimes, it's not necessary to try everything on your skin for some things you can feel me.

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