TINA DOBRAJC. As Change Sweeps Across the Land
Our film on Tina Dobrajc, recent recipient of the STRABAG Artaward International 2024, reveals, how the Slovenian artist – in a world where landscapes are often mere backdrops to time and society – embarks on an intimate yet universal dialogue with her surroundings.
The alpine hills and forests of her Slovenian homeland are not just sources of inspiration but also mirrors of her identity. Yet, this seemingly idyllic scenery bears the marks of upheaval: natural disasters and societal shifts etch their stories into the land and leave a lasting impact on the artist’s perspective.
Dobrajc’s works exist in the tension between tradition and modernity. Women in traditional costumes appear in her paintings as symbolic guardians. They embody the fragility of marginalized groups in a changing world—a reflection of how society treats minorities and nature alike. Her vivid, toxic colors are more than aesthetic choices; they speak of the threats and resilience rooted in these landscapes.
The animals in her works are not mere motifs. They represent the quiet, unobtrusive presence of nature—observers and silent witnesses. Their forms recall mythical creatures deeply rooted in Slavic cultures, bridging the past with the present.
The artist also introduces urban elements into her landscapes, creating a visual friction that contrasts the timelessness of nature with the transience of modern interventions. This generates an atmosphere that challenges the viewer: Is this world still safe, or does it harbor a hidden menace?
Tina Dobrajc invites us to reflect on the duality of nature: its tranquility and its violence, its beauty and its chaos. Her works are more than paintings—they are a call to sharpen our gaze and rethink the fragile balance between humanity and the environment.
https://www.strabag-kunstforum.at/