Interview: Majda Zorko
Luca Curci talks with Majda Zorko during the 3rd Edition of ROME INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2022, at Medina Art Gallery.

Majda Zorko is an artist based in Slovenia. The artist hold’s a BFA in Classical Chinese painting from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China. She has also studied oil painting at the College of Fine Arts, Edinburgh, GB and attended several workshops in Italy and Spain. Majda Zorko has exhibited her artworks in the USA, GB, Japan, China, Singapore, Australia, Austria, Montenegro and Slovenia. Majda Zorko is a Slovenian abstract artist who spent two decades living and working in Asia. During this time Majda was heavily influenced by Chinese painting and Japanese design. She has been painting professionally for over 30 years and has exhibited internationally in the USA, Singapore, Japan, Austria, GB and China. Majda describes her approach to painting as based on experimentation and exploration of media and describes how ‘anyone who engages in creating a work of art brings to it his/hers own set of personal experiences, memories, perceptions and points of view’. Initially heavily influenced by the great Masters of painting-da Vinci, Redon, Shitao, Kandinsky– Majda replicated their work in her ‘interpretations’ series. However, in 1999 she departed from imitation in her solo show (in Singapore) ‘Farewell to Masters’. Since then, Majda’s personal style has changed a lot as she sought to discover more creative and imaginative ways to express her personal voice. She describes how “The abstract forms which I create now have become my voice…(and) empower(s) me with endless freedom to create”.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Majda Zorko – Embracing the unknown and surrounding to the process of creating art. For me, making art is a very personal affair: you dip your brush into your own soul and paint your own nature into the picture. My art is an extension of my personality: it is a kaleidoscope of my thoughts, emotions, intuitions and even desires. There is this urge to create constantly, to seek new opportunities for innovative solutions to visual challenges. “In order to create, we draw from our inner well.” (Julia Cameron)

LC – What are you currently working on?
MZ – I tend to work in series. I am currently working on two: ‘Dancing brush’ and ‘Flowers in abstraction’. In the former, I am reconnecting with my Asian influences and focusing on the expressive movement of the calligraphic brush. In the latter, I am revisiting my old subject of flowers with the intention to use the familiar to explore something new in abstract composition.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
MZ – I studied art in China and spent two decades living and working in Asia. During this time I was very much influenced by Chinese traditional painting and Japanese design. Since then, my personal style has evolved a lot, moving from representational and figurative towards a more expressive and abstract style. The abstract forms which I create now have become my voice.

LC – Which art themes do you pursue? What is your preferred subject, if there is any?
MZ – I am interested in self-expression. The theme is not important. The subject is not relevant. You could say I am an abstract expressionist.

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
MZ – I don’t choose my subject-the subject chooses me! I follow my intuitive ideas, so it is very much an instinctive process of creation. However, I think that art making is not about choosing the subject, it is about the expression of an idea, thoughts and feelings.

LC – We were attracted by your last artistic production, has the artwork presented been created for the exhibition or as a part of preexisting works?
MZ – I started ‘Antique vs. Abstraction’ series in 2020. This idea is still very much on my mind, although presently abandoned. In this series that started spontaneously during Covid time, I explored the past which was limited by borders ( antique frames) with newly acquired freedom of expression (abstract spaces).

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the exhibition?
MZ – My artwork presented at THE ROME Art Fair 2022 relates to the theme ‘Future landscapes’: paintings from this series define past aesthetic limitations but also open spaces of creations in order to find connections between mind and soul. The visual space, although limited by the frame conveys the feeling of freedom and infinite artistic expression.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
MZ – Yes, absolutely! It’s been very professional cooperation and prompt communication throughout the entire process. Your instructions were clear and simple regarding the participation of the artist. In fact, this is the second time that I took part in the ITSLIQUID exhibition (previously in Venice 2021) and plan to do so in the future. Overall, your shows are very well organized- great job!

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
MZ – I appreciate the various opportunities for artists from different fields of artistic expression.