Život 2013

Editor: Here we have Dragan Ilić Di Vogo's 2013 painting, "Život," done in acrylic. I’m immediately struck by the juxtaposition of the smooth skin of the figure with what appears to be rough, almost stony textures enveloping her lower body. What is your interpretation of this unusual pairing? Curator: The interesting combination is more than simply aesthetic. Di Vogo invites us to consider the public role of art in constructing ideas about nature, identity, and belonging. "Život", meaning "life," pushes us to unpack the Western art historical gaze often placed upon the Black female body, historically portrayed as either hyper-sexualized or ‘exotic’. Do you notice how the artist avoids both tropes? Editor: Yes, she isn't eroticized here, but rather shown in contemplation. How does the surrealist combination of the woman with nature play into this historical context? Curator: Exactly. Surrealism, as a movement, often explored the subconscious and challenged conventional representations. Here, the merging of the female figure with landscape could be interpreted as reclaiming a primal connection, removing the constructed layers of racialized and gendered societal expectations, and instead centering her in a raw, natural state. The butterfly on her shoulder feels key. Does it evoke other imagery to you? Editor: The butterfly feels like an emblem of transformation and perhaps rebirth, reinforcing the ‘life’ suggested in the title. I also see the echo of landscape portraiture within colonial era photographic practice. Curator: A powerful reading! It demonstrates the work's connection to older systems. How those older ideas shift and take on a fresh resonance. This really allows for conversation regarding historical social position in Europe, specifically where non-western women are concerned, to start. Editor: This reframing makes the painting so much more complex. It's not just a portrait; it’s a statement about historical representation and identity. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. It shows us the constant negotiation between history and the present.