Slobodan Živić is best known for working with contemporary and technological materials and methods. In his new solo exhibition, however, he goes back to his roots to work with simpler means, and with drawing in focus. For Živić, drawing became a way of processing his experiences during the turbulent years of growing up. Over time, drawing developed into rituals in everyday life, and thus gained a symbolic value beyond the original therapeutic purpose. Expressing oneself creatively in this way became a way of developing as a person and thus became a rite of passage to adulthood. With a present global crisis, which has once again created a turbulent existence, Živić has in his new exhibition turned to his vulnerable safe haven and recreated the rituals, but in a new version. Inspired by his childhood in the former Yugoslavia, Živić has used means such as ballpoint pens, lighters, and firecrackers. Something that made a strong impression on him was how messages were often burned along roofs, under stairs, and over corners and edges, both inside and outside buildings. A way that he experienced as unique to this time and place. In his new works, Živić lets these burn marks, together with the drawings, spread over the edges of the canvas, thus transforming the two-dimensional surfaces into three-dimensional sculptures. In the abstract expression, however, he transforms the messages on the walls and ceilings into the child's wordless and associative expression.
Selected Solo
Exhibitions
2017; "Interrupted Moments Memory Bank Rabbit Hole; Skomakeriet; Stockholm, Sweden
Selected Group Exhibitions
2020: "Blind Faith"; Stockholm, Sweden
2019; "Absolute Affirmation"; curated by C-print; Gelb Ateljéer; Stockholm, Sweden
2019; "Enter a Surface"; Regeringsgatan 77; Stockholm, Sweden
2017; "Birger Jarl Rmx"; curated by Ilja Karilampi and Martin Kozlowski; Stockholm, Sweden
2017; "So Long St: Salong"; curated by Christian Cherry Ling; Stockholm, Sweden
2016; "i-CRACKED"; Riche; Stockholm Public Audio Image (2016) Hangmen Project; Stockholm, Sweden
Selected Grants
and Awards