Illusions

Illusion stands for the deception of the senses, with an object being
observed differently than it seems to be in reality. Illusions involve
all senses, but most often they involve visual senses, namely, the eyes.
I use a mirror in my work, as well as the eyes as a certain kind
of mirror, to create my own space which does not necessarily have
to be a reflection of the real space that you think you are looking at.
My space represents a modern “mirror” which is related to the ar-
rangement in the picture of reality that we all carefully create about
ourselves on social networks. By subtle interventions within my art-
istic creativity, I tend to point out changes that happen to us in our
contemporary society and to our view of things. In my works, which
I perform using various techniques, I compose the scattered frag-
ments of everyday life. It is only at first sight these images radiate
with peace and silence, but at the same time they hide a certain in-
consistency that does not conform to our usual expectations.
I have been studying face, eyes and lips for quite some time now,
as well as the frozen moments that these faces represent in time and
space. I follow my own illusion by trying to present it as the truth. I
try to confound you, the observers, and to make you believe me.

The Phenomenon of Reflection as a Method of Own Artistic Research
In the course of my studies, the research I did was predominantly
related to self-portrait. In this case, I am using the word self-portrait
in a relative meaning as, in a way, it represents but does not necessar-
ily imply a self-(re)presentation of my image. The eyes see the world
around them, but at the same time create a personal impression of
that world, so they play a double role. Self-portrait mainly comes at
certain stages of life and can be the expression of ego showing us
our own imperfections. Precisely through the frame of the eye I have
tried to visualize my inner self, take a stand and ask questions to
myself and the world around me. I must admit that at the very be-
ginning I was not fully aware of the symbolism the eye in the form of
self-portrait could represent. Simply, one day, a look at my reflection
in the mirror made me think that precisely my own image was what
I wished to explore.
People face their mirror image every day – whether they like it or
not – and, looking at it, most of us feel like changing a thing or two
about our face or body, even if only a tiny detail, visible to no one but
ourselves. We are living in a world dominated by commercials that
keep telling us what we should actually look like. The faces and bodies
of people we see on TV look too perfect to be true. We are aware that
it is a kind of illusion created by the mass media and yet we comply.
To our complete frustration, we even struggle to live up to the surreal
bodies and faces gazing at us from screens and billboards. Of course,
this mission impossible creates a sort of uneasiness and very few end
up satisfied with what they see in the mirror. Unlike Narcissus 1) , we
are in no danger of falling in love with ourselves. The eye of God has
been substituted by the eye of the media, guiding us and shaping our
opinions and moral attitudes. Although I believe that beauty matters,
we apparently live in a society that not only mercilessly and inces-
santly promotes beauty, but also sets the unattainable standards of
beauty, forcing us either to fit the mold or die trying.
So, where does all that leave me as an artist? Perhaps my position
is somewhat superior as I, like a kind of plastic surgeon, feel free and
have the opportunity to change the face looking back at me from the
mirror. I also have the freedom to represent only the parts of my face
and body that I like best. Even to change them at will. I must admit
that I have rarely resorted to such tricks and mostly transferred the
truth to canvas. And yet, I did have a wish to make it likable. I believe
that it is intrinsic of art to please the eye, one way or another. An
image should trigger a kind of emotion with the viewer, I should say
– a positive emotion. Most artists today opt for provocation irrespec-
tive of whether their work provokes love or fear, hatred, repulsion
or no matter what, as long as there is a reaction from the audience.
Therefore, when I look in the mirror these days, I wonder what I am
actually looking for. How much of the things I have found would I
like to convey to the people and the world around me, or how I want
them to react. Is self-portrait a study of my personality or a kind of
fantasy? Indeed, the source of it all is nothing but love for oneself and
one’s image, the wish to be liked by others, too. Probably there is also
a bit of self-love, vanity and other, not highly positive qualities.
Maybe I was just trying to keep up with the times and show
myself in the most beautiful light possible. To match my own illusion
and hide the imperfections of which I was fully aware. That was how
it started; in the beginning I did not give much thought to whether
I wanted to achieve anything. It was enough for me to paint my own
image on canvas as true to life as possible and feel satisfied with the
result. To present beauty for beauty’s sake, to admire and let others
admire it.
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1) Narcissus was a hunter in Greek mythology, son of the river god Cephissus
and the nymph Liriope. He was a very beautiful young man who fell so
much in love with his image in the creek, that he died of desire for himself;
later on gods turned his body into a flower named after him; fig. a man in
love with himself, a beautiful young man.