WOMEN OF NOTE:
Iva Drekalovic | Artist
Born into a world of art and culture on the northeast coast of Italy self-taught visual artist, Iva Drekalovic works within the realms of painting and clay to realise mystical creatures and transcendent fantasies of dreams.
After time spent in art residencies and exhibiting her work throughout Europe, Iva formed a new project. Ewsaa is a creative fusion with her twin sister, building ceramic vases that can outstand the beauty of the flowers they hold. Now settled by the Adriatic seaside, Iva turns to her natural landscapes to inform her practice, finding inspiration in the ocean and mountains that surround her.
Here, Iva shares more with us dressed in the 02 robe in deep black and the 01 set in ash blue.
Location: Italy
Date: March
Time: 3pm
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Where are you from and where are you now? I could list many places to explain where I’m from, but to make it easy I was born in Trieste (north-east Italy) and after many years in Berlin I chose to move to a small town by the Adriatic Sea.
What is your cultural background? I am a perfect mix of an Italian and Balkan culture, I love to say that the Adriatic Sea is what I am: a sea that touches the Italian east coast and the Balkan coast. I am like a sponge: I absorbed a lot of the culture in Berlin and London (where I spend most of my time) as well as that of Roma, where I go often.
When is your favourite time of day? Definitely early Morning, my favorite light of the day.
Can you tell us a little about your home, what is the view like? I am so lucky to have a beautiful sea side view from my home, it makes me happy every morning when I wake up. |
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Where did you first discover art? Everyone that was born in Italy finds art everywhere… It’s something that happened naturally to me. My first art exhibition was at the Venice Biennale when I was very young, and the energy of it caught me immediately.
You are a self-taught multidisciplinary artist, did you always know you wanted to pursue art? This is a question that I ask myself many times, art has been my passion since I was a child, but somehow I am still curious to approach new adventures in my lifetime (keeping art as my priority).
You create ceramic sculptures under the brand, Ewsaa. What drew you to working with clay? Clay was something that came into my life randomly and since then I can’t stop working with it, it’s an incredible material that makes me very calm, I find it’s like meditation.
What lead you to creating Ewsaa? Ewsaa is actually an idea that came out from me and my twins sister Sara, where we decided to create vases that can stand the beauty of the flowers. We never followed a strict line on the production: the process should be something beautiful and delicate as a flower can be.
What is your approach to choosing materials and which bring the most joy? I love choosing materials after I have a hike somewhere in the Appennini mountains in Italy. I usually go on a Sunday morning then inspirations comes out from the beautiful landscape that surrounds me. After I have my own choices my sister does the same and create a fusion of ideas to create then new projects and aesthetics. |
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Your clay sculptures form in unusual and unique shapes, do you have certain people or references that inspire you? My sculptures are actually a totally different vibe from the brand (Ewsaa). I love to produce sculptures only if I have the right inspiration at the right moment.
Has there been a significant moment of your past that has informed where you are today? Probably quite a few, but I love to keep in mind that everyday is a new day where things happens and everything looks always new and magic.
How would you describe your creative process? 100% Messy
What is your approach to dressing each day and what is your go to attire? Since I live by the sea side I think I lost my approach to dressing, I go with the flow.
Three words that describe you. Hyperactive; sun; mornings;
Where do you enjoy spending downtime? By the sea side!
How do you find comfort? I still have to figure it out :) |
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What brings you joy? So many things, I can’t decide one!
How do you stay grounded? This is a good question, but I try to reply with this beautiful story that I remind myself quite often: “When you children peel a tangerine, you can eat it with awareness or without awareness. What does it mean to eat a tangerine in awareness? When you are eating the tangerine, you are aware that you are eating the tangerine. You fully experience its lovely fragrance and sweet taste. When you peel the tangerine, you know that you are peeling the tangerine; when you remove a slice and put it in your mouth, you know that you are removing a slice and putting it in your mouth; when you experience the lovely fragrance and sweet taste of the tangerine, you are aware that you are experiencing the lovely fragrance and sweet taste of the tangerine (…) I did not forget the tangerine, and thus the tangerine became something very real to me. If the tangerine is real, the person eating it is real. That is what it means to eat a tangerine in awareness.” (Old Path White Cloud, Thich Nhat Hanh)
What are you hopeful for? The good things in this word!
How do you prepare for a good night’s rest? I have a little beauty routine to clean my face from the day, then a camomile tea and nice book to have a read before sleep.
What do you dream of when sleeping? I dream so much lately; I am sure that one thing I will try to do very soon is to keep a notebook where I will write down every dream in the moment I wake up!
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