INTERVIEW WITH AN ARTIST

INTERVIEW

WITH AN ARTIST

Slave Ajtoski is a 73 year old abstract artist from Macedonia. His works mainly focus on the abstraction of birds in flight through bronze sculptures. For this first edition of the Art Newsletter, we sat down with him to acquire a better understanding of how the older generations of artists perceive the new wave of born-digital art.

What was it like studying art when you were growing up?

I was born and raised in a Macedonian town called Prilep to a large family of farmers. It was very clear from a young age that unlike my siblings I did not show great passion for the family business, and instead had a predilection for the arts. I was fortunate enough to have parents who allowed me to attend a high school for the arts in the capital city of Skopje, so that I would be able to pursue a better and higher education. The internet was not available to me while growing up, therefore having good teachers and resources was something I could only get from my formal education. Most of this education was extremely far from home, which is why I travelled to Serbia for university, where I would study sculpat the Belgrade University of Fine Art. Studying art was also a huge risk for my family at the time, not only because they were sending me extremely far away from home, but also because there weren’t as many careers available for artists as there are now.

Dezorijentisana (Disoriented)

Čuvar horizonta (Protector of the Horizon)

What inspires you as an artist?

I have always been fascinated with capturing natural forms, especially birds, through a more abstract lens. Within my exhibition ‘Protectors of the Horizon’, I explore the movements of birds through abstract shapes until they almost become unrecognizable, so that what is appreciated is the form created by them rather than the bird itself.

Do you have any thoughts on the rise of the use of digital technologies in the world of art?

I am completely fascinated by it. It opens so many doors for new artists in terms of both creativity and opportunity. I see my children and grandchild using all of these new programs and machines to not only draw but also create actual 3D art. Witnessing the digital age of art has been bizarre and I never would have thought I would witness artists being able to draw on the go with just a touch of an iPhone. My sons have helped me utilize digital technologies like 3D scanners and printers to create miniature replicas of my larger works. I am an old man and honestly still do not fully understand how it all works, but being able to witness a computer printing out a tiny 3D replica of my own work has been truly amazing.

Do you have an advice for young and emerging artists?

You are growing up in the wonderful age of technology, so make sure you make the most of it. The whole world of knowledge is available to you with just a simple movement of a finger so make use of it to expand your creative horizons. And with all these new programs and devices being developed don’t be afraid to push boundaries and limits with your art. Absolutely anything is possible, so never limit yourself.