Born and raised in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Vedran Misic is a New York City based artist with passions for ink drawing, media arts and street art. Working with colorful Inda inks, his highly intricate and symbolic works examine the dimensions of human spirit, and the complex world that it inhabits. Using psychedelic motifs, his drawings explore the metaphysical, and seek to capture the often imperceptible geometric systems that permeate through all of nature. While these works stem from the ideas and experiences of adult introspection, they are layered with vibrant colors and fantastical elements that evoke a childlike awe of the magic and mystery of the world. He join us for his second release Anubis Rising. Read on as we caught up with Vedran Misic to discuss his latest release…
1x: What materials were used to create this piece?
Vedran Misic: India ink pens (Faber-Castell’s PITT Artist Pens) on Bristol paper.
1x: When was the piece created and how long did it take to complete?
Vedran Misic: I worked on this piece between the months of August and November of 2015 with breaks in between. I do not time myself, but I’d guess somewhere between 200-220 hours in total.
1x: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Vedran Misic: The original concept was started off and about half-way finished as a self-portrait that I worked on while in Buenos Aires in 2013. One day, as I was stepping out on the terrace to work on it, a strong gust of wind blew the paper pad out of my hands and the artwork flew away from me, for good. Earlier this year, as I prepared to start on it anew, I decided to take the aspects of the original self-portrait and use the transformative experiences from the last few years to expand the concept to be universally understood and related to. I’ve visited NYC museums to explore the Ancient Egyptian history and art, and have researched the resources covering symbolic and mythological motifs from that era. I wanted to create a symbolically rich piece that would manifest my hopes and visions not just for myself, but for humanity in general. Gandhi said once: “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him.” And that’s the core idea behind this artwork – awakening to live peacefully and truthfully, with an open-mind, and inciting that connection and respect for nature that the ancient civilizations embodied.
1x: What do you feel is unique about this piece?
Vedran Misic: It was my first artwork that was turned into a meme – and became quite popular on social media. It is also my first piece of artwork that was featured as a cover of a publication which was the December cover of SUPERPAPER (issue no.74), a cult Munich street publication covering art, music and culture.
1x: Why do feel people will want to buy this print?
Vedran Misic: It’s an Ancient Egyptian inspired artwork created by a New York City based artist, born and raised in Bosnia. Do I need to say more?
1x: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Vedran Misic: Sick.
1x: When did you first start making art?
Vedran Misic:
Around age of 4 I learned how to draw the shape of a dog and was drawing it on everything, all the time.
1x: What was your first piece?
Vedran Misic: I’ve been drawing and creating art since I can remember, but the first piece that I completed with ink markers that I use as my primary medium is a 11”x8” drawing “Choices” in 2012.
1x: What artists inspired you early on?
Vedran Misic: HR Giger is one of the first artists I discovered after coming to America in 1994. His works freaked me out, but I loved studying the details for hours. I discovered the amazing M.C. Escher around the same time. Milton Glaser, Seymour Chwast and Tibor Kalman’s graphic works, often infused with political and social issues, were some of my biggest early influences in college years. Alex Grey was my first introduction to the world of psychedelic art.
1x: What artists inspire you now?
Vedran Misic:
There are so many…Hannah Yata and James Jean are out of this world. Huge fan of Nosego, Curiot and Waone Interesni Kazki. Hueman is great, love watching her develop her style. Hongmin Lee is creating some wicked art too. Also dig Low Brows, How and Nosm, Bicicleta Sem Freio, Damon Soule, Erik Jones, Tristan Eaton, Zio Ziegler.
1x: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work? Vedran Misic: Definitely, music is the fuel that keeps me going. Playlists depend on my mood and vary from electronic/pop of Grimes, Tame Impala and M.I.A. to psychedelic trance like Ace Ventura and Mr. Peculiar. Lately, I’ve also been enjoying listening to Krista Tippet’s “On Being” podcast interviews while working – there is some amazing mind-opening content there.
1x: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why? Vedran Misic: Nosego – I just love his style. And it’s so great to watch him evolve as an artist, but still maintain a playful, childlike expression in all his pieces. Also, from couple of interviews I saw, he seems like the most humble person. Think he’d be fun to collaborate with. 1x: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why? Vedran Misic: M.C. Escher – his studies and explorations of geometric and mathematical structures in nature are unparalleled in the art history. He was a genius.
1x: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it? The last?
Vedran Misic:
Not sure, but I think it was the vintage Peugeot bicycle poster print. I still have it. The last was a hand painted wooden mask I bought as a gift for my mother in Bali.
1x: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Vedran Misic:
I will be part of a group show “New Work, New York” at the Woodward Gallery in New York City, opening on January 9th, 2016.
1x: Where else can people find you?
Vedran Misic: Instagram@vedran_misic – Facebook @vedranmisicart – Twitter + Tumblr + Behance @vedranmisic – Youtube –
-1xRUN