Ana Rajcevic is one of ArtConnect’s Artists to Watch '22

Ana Rajcevic is an artist working at the intersection of sculpture and body-art, focusing on different ways of altering the body through pieces called ‘prosthetic body-sculptures’. Her artistic practice confronts the question of how the ever-shifting material forms and substances in which human subjects are embodied configure understandings of ‘humanity’ itself. By merging human and non-human parts: bodies, technologies, prosthetics and materials, Rajcevic focuses on the integration of new technologies in human bodies and lives, as well as its implications, asking: How is the corporeality of the body addressed when coupled with emerging technologies such as AI and gene-editing? And what is the future of the body as we transform into Chimeras? With a multi-disciplinary inquiry that combines experimental art with research in biomedicine, history, materials science, and psychology, Rajcevic creates ‘hybrid identities’ that challenge both bodily and disciplinary boundaries.

ArtConnect asked the winning artists to share with us a glimpse into their creative life to get a sense of their personal inspiration and artistic process.

How did you get started as an artist?

I have always been drawn to art as well as science, and I believe it comes from my family. My father is a sculptor, and my mother a doctor, so I grew up surrounded by artworks, and art and medicine books. I have been drawing, painting, sculpting and writing since an early age, and after high school I went into Architecture studies, before doing Master in Arts at University of the Arts in London.

How would you describe your artistic approach?

My artistic practice, which sits at the intersection of sculpture, fine arts and body-art, focuses on the integration of new technologies in human bodies and lives, as well as its implications. By altering the bodies and spaces with pieces that I term ‘prosthetic body-sculptures' or ‘prosthetic creatures’, I explore how novel technologies are changing our perceptions of the body, rendering the new body alterable by science.
Merging human and non-human parts: bodies, technologies, prosthetics and novel materials, I ask: If we radically enhance the human, or merge human with animal, will we still be considered “human”? And what is the future of the body as we transform into Cyborgs and Chimeras?

And how about what inspires you?

I find inspiration in Ontology, Biomedicine, History, Materials Science, and Psychology but the main research topics are always the body, human experience, and materialization. Discovering the limits of humans in relation to myth, technology, spirituality, and psychology.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an artist?

Work / life balance. I am still learning how to separate the two.

Describe a typical day in the studio/wherever you make your work.

I have quite a routine with the way I work. It always starts with a specific topic and idea followed by a deeper research: writing and reading. Then comes drawing, sketching, doing material tests and prototypes before going into the sculpting process like mold making and casting.
It’s a lot of work but I love every bit of it.

Is there a medium, a process, or a technique that you haven't used in your work yet but would like to try out?

Yes, working with stem-cells and biotechnology.
And this is what I have just started this year and will mark a new era of my practice - creating ‘living’ sculptures.

What are you currently working on? Or an upcoming project you want to mention?

At the moment I am working on the 2 exciting Sculpture-Installations:
The Chimera project, which is part of my PhD research, deals with current biotechnological breakthroughs, in particular gene-editing possibilities. Together with the scientists from Kersnikova Institute in Slovenia, I am working on the lab grown organoids to be used as artistic materials for the ‘living’ sculpture series. The work will be presented in the Kapelica Gallery in Ljubljana towards the end of this year.
Another project to be realized this year is a Robotic - Sculpture installation. I am creating 10 'Swarm Robotic-sculptures' which will perform live on stage. This work, realized in collaboration with Bristol Robotic Lab and Neon Dance Company, will be presented at the Setouchi Art Triennale in Japan.

How does it feel to be selected as an ArtConnect Artist to Watch?

I am always excited to present my work to a new audience and connect with other artists and researchers.

Anything else you want to add?

I want to thank you for your support!
And, if in Florence at the end of April 2022, come to the exhibition at the beautiful Palazzo Medici Riccardi, where my work will be presented until mid of May.

See more of Ana Rajcevic’s work

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