Exquisite Arts Magazine Vol 3 - Nov/ Dec 2016 | Page 12

Nicolas S. Novac learned to draw at a very young age and showed a passion for art, but it is at the age
of 11 he fully realized that art is his vocation. He was taking a modelling course and it was the first time
he was touching the living material - clay. The other children started modelling various objects while he
tackled a major project “Bas-relief of a battle scene between Romans and Gaul’s.”
He attended the School of Fine Arts (Theater - Puppets section). These years of extraordinary
experiences were critical for the development of the artist we know today. From puppet design to stage
set design, there is nothing that escapes unexplored. His love for puppetry and stage set design led him
to embark on unforgettable performances.
These extraordinary experiences defined his style. In the early 2000’s, he decided with his wife to come
and settle in Montreal. The mechanisms in his artwork emphasize on the reality of our world, often
incapable to stop even for a second and simply enjoy life. We are ‘’gears” caught in a system that
revolves obsessively. His paintings have the power to transform our perceptions in esthetics and invite
to reflection, to dive deep within ourselves. The characters might seem torn away by the daily routine,
but a glimmer of hope reign over the silhouettes.
Nicolas uses mixed media on canvas, acrylic paint, ink, plaster gears & various mortar relief structures.

Your creativity and artistic style is very unique. You
have an interesting artistic background, how has
attending the School of Fine Arts (Puppets section)
influenced the artwork that you produce today?
In theater we play with means of expression in a
symbiotic way to achieve the best performance and
the puppets section exposed me to every possible
medium. I’ve been fascinated by theatre since my
youngest age. In the puppet theatre, reality and
fantasy merge and the characters evolve in a magical
manner. I am trying to capture this spirit that reigns
over their souls, and expose it on canvas. With the
risk of repeating someone words I will say - life is an
amazing scene and we are all actors playing our little
part in this never-ending fantasy.
You mentioned that the mechanisms of your
artwork emphasizes on the reality of our world. In
your opinion, does art have to be rooted in a deeper
meaning? Do artists have a social responsibility?
Art has a huge responsibility and cannot stand
outside society. It transcends ourselves and echoes
the history. Art is union among men, joining them
together in the same feelings. Art for the sake of art

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is an outdated concept surpassed a long time ago. I
believe the artist is the voice of his generation, and his
vision of the world is essential.
You use various mediums to create your art pieces?
Do you have a favorite medium that you enjoy
working with the most? If so, why?
I like all the mediums, and it is not a question of
preference but I favor acrylic for its versatile character.
It adheres to so many surfaces, from traditional canvas
to glass and aluminum. The drying time is great, it is
not yellowing and most important, it’s not toxic.
What is your creative process like?
For me art is a continuous discovery. I am fascinated by
the untold in our lives, by the way we express emotions
or hide them. I am constantly looking for inspiration in
our everyday. I select only the subjects that speak to
my soul. I work with textures in a fashion that translate
my feelings on canvas wishing to tell the unrevealed
tale, to open a door to a different dimension, letting
the viewer discover it with his imagination. My greatest
pleasure is the process itself and to see it come alive.