Prvi korak – The first step 2012

Curator: Here we have Dragan Ilić Di Vogo’s painting, “Prvi korak – The first step,” created in 2012 using mixed media. Editor: It has this wonderfully dreamy, almost ethereal quality. The soft focus and muted palette, besides those sharp stripes on the…ribbon, create a sense of longing. Curator: It's interesting you mention the ribbon because the painting incorporates symbols and figurative elements arranged in what feels like a highly personal visual language. The doves, of course, traditionally signify peace, but what about the other items surrounding the portrait? How do these materials inform our interpretation? Editor: I’m particularly struck by how Di Vogo contrasts textures: The almost porcelain smoothness of the face against the impasto-like abstraction swirling around her, the very visible facture makes you wonder about the physical act of layering and mixing the paints on canvas. You sense both control and randomness in this work. What do you make of that central female figure? Curator: I see her as an anima figure, perhaps representing an idealized or even projected inner self. The fragmented objects around her head could symbolize aspects of her identity or memories struggling for integration. Her slightly averted gaze emphasizes contemplation and self-reflection. Editor: Or perhaps it's just an assortment of objects the artist had on hand, cheap supplies, even scraps from previous projects transformed by paint? How much can we extract based on what the work literally consists of? The ‘First Step’ for example might refer to his process of creation. Curator: Well, both readings can coexist. The doves alongside her hint toward love or perhaps the start of a journey towards inner harmony. It makes the painting psychologically evocative; its beauty draws us into her inner world, inviting us to consider the "first steps" we take toward self-discovery and emotional growth. Editor: I agree. Thinking about Di Vogo using commonplace materials— acrylic paint, ordinary canvas – transforms them, inviting the viewer to ask broader questions about resourcefulness and beauty in the everyday. The simplicity of production can make an impact on both creator and admirer. Curator: Thank you. Considering those relationships does bring new nuances to the interpretation, allowing us a fresh appreciation for the continuity of symbols and personal history. Editor: It is fascinating to witness a creator like Di Vogo employ materials in service of these wider concepts. Food for thought.