Rada Yakova
Land scape
CONTEMPORARY ART REVIEW
How does representation and a tendency towards abstraction find their balance in your work ?
Thank you for this question . A lot of people can not accept figurative painting as an abstraction . Abstraction is something unreal and everything that leads us to dream and imagine has something abstract in it . So in my work , the idea is abstract , I use the woman ' s body to show my ideas that are far more beyond what you see .
Over the years you have exhibited in several occasions , including your recent participation to the Barcelona International Art Fair : one of the hallmarks of your work is the capability to create direct involvement with the viewers , who are urged to evolve from a condition of mere spectatorship . So before leaving this conversation we would like to pose a question about the nature of the relationship of your art with your audience . Do you consider the issue of audience reception as being a crucial component of your decisionmaking process , in terms of what type of language is used in a particular context ?
Not really ... I believe one can only be free if released from any tought , from anyone or anybody else ‘ s stories and expectations . That ’ s why sometimes I need a lot of time before beginning , just to stay in front of the canvas . It ‘ s like taking a shower , washing your brain from all expectations . You can not satisfy everybody . Not everybody will like you , and that ’ s OK . If everybody likes you , something is wrong .
Thanks a lot for your time and for sharing your thoughts , Rada . Finally , would you like to tell us readers something about your future projects ? How do you see your work evolving ?
My newest work is about memories and letting them go . It has more the esthetic of an old photography , where the details are not important . Important is the emotion , the feeling , the story that you remember . With my new work I will invite the audience to remember … I will have the chance to present some of it at Florence biennale 2017
An interview by Katherine Williams , curator and Josh Ryder , curator landescape @ europe . com