Artist in conversation: Nelly Drobot
Nelly Drobot is a Ukrainian painter who expresses powerful feelings through her art! The artist studies the emotional and sensual background of human nature, analyzing the observations through the prism of individual perception. The paintings reveal the ideological content through the use of color and texture. Nelly Drobot depicts individualism, ego, and selfishness, which are common in every creature on earth, transforming them into reflections through prisms and illusions and transferring them onto canvases in the form of realistic and abstract images. Her works also emphasize the importance of maintaining life balance, the value of life, and uncovering the hidden beauty of images.
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What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
When I was a little girl my dad used to draw with me. And he said, that I’m a little Picasso. But it was impossible for me, because I had (and have) poor eyesight. However, I drew all the time. And after many years, I’m there, in London,
in the gallery.
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
In my art environment I study the questions of the emotional and sensual background of human nature, passing the observations through the prism of individual perception. The ideological content of the works is revealed in my paintings through certain techniques: color and texture. In my new series, I reveal a new theme - balance. It’s such an important theme in these days. The balance of good and evil, war and piece, people and animals, trees.. And if that balance is taken away then we might have trouble with collapse.
Can you discuss a specific piece or project that challenged you as an artist, and how you overcome those challenges?
I began the balance series one year ago. The war challenged me, as a human, artist being. The war changed me and my views on creativity.
How do you stay connected with other artists and keep up with new developments and trends in the art world?
Internet, especially Instagram is my best friend. But to be honest, I’m drawing all my time, and I don’t have so much time to connect with people. That’s why I make art trips for myself. This helps me to be in contact.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
You are the best critics of your life and the best artist of your life! That’s why if you are open with yourself, you’re open to the world. When you are open with the world, a lot of people see you and understand you. They get you. I think you need to find your own balance. Not balance between feedback and own art but intuition. Because if you are looking for this balance, you can loose your style, your art feeling. Painting is about your brain + feeling + soul. Not only brain and feedback analytics.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
Do you want to laugh? I don’t believe in inspiration! I’m not painting because of inspiration. I’m painting because of love, its my life, my passion. I’m talking through my paintings. It’s like a therapy.
In your opinion, what role do contemporary artists play in society, and how does your work contribute to this role?
I think, artists are like a mirror of our world. We can show a lot of important things. In some ways, I am very happy because we are able to get attention to big or little problems, and you know many people have become aware of this situation, which is great. Together we’re a big power! My paintings can open the mind of people. Its my main goal. If you are calm, clever and kind, you can change the world.
What do you see as the most pressing issues facing contemporary artists, and how do you plan to address these challenges in your own work?
I think a so so so fat problem for artist today is find yourself and own style. Because you see many modern, famous people and want to be like them. No! It’s a problem. Just be yourself! If you want to be like him or she, who wants to be like you?
When you copy the style or styles, you can lose your own style. You can lose yourself. Wait a moment, study yourself, your soul, your brain, your own ambitions. Of course, not everyone will be famous. But everyone can be happy.
It is in our power.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
I’m really happy. You make me happy. I think it’s a great chance for me. I believe in productive, cool collaboration, work. I want to take part in your other activities, events, festivals. I’m really falling in love with your gallery.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Today I have no really so long-terms goals, because I live in Ukraine. There is a horrible war. A big part of my friends and close people in the war.
(And, if I can say this thing there: thank you, UK, thank you so much for help my country)
What about my art plans?…
I will work every day. I’ll show world’s problems, human’s the best side and the most horrible side, i want to speak about love, about the balance, about different beauty…i want to show a lot of significant things. I have the idea, i have the goal. I’ll loop the world for my great purpose. I believe, through the delectable beauty of art we can show and explain importance of today’s situations, bring people together for the main purpose - to be healthy, happy, free civilization, that can live in balance with our universe. We have only this home. It’s Earth.