Dejan Risteski can be classified in the group of so-called "hidden artists", who, like him, are deeply relegated to the anonymity of big cities.
What does the term "hidden artist" mean? Despite their artistic talent, "hidden artists" often face a number of obstacles, including a lack of access to art spaces, insufficient support from established art communities, and the belief that only those with formal education can create "real" art.
The evolution of social networks and digital media has had a significant impact on the art industry, providing new opportunities for creative expression and leading to a significant increase in the number of self-taught artists.
While many artists struggle to find affordable space to create and exhibit their work, this can be an insurmountable barrier for self-taught or disadvantaged artists, limiting their opportunities for growth and leading to frustration if they are unable to develop their careers. Without space to share their practice, these "hidden artists" often experience isolation and exclusion from the artistic community. In some cases, they may even struggle to recognize themselves as artists.
However, "hidden artists" can make a significant contribution to the art world with work that reflects new experiences, perspectives and ideas. Their work can expand the definition of what it means to be an artist, inspiring others to explore new avenues of creativity and serving as role models for others who wish to develop their own artistic skills. These artists bring new perspectives to the art community and can help change the so-called. status quo.
Dejan Risteski creates special works, outlined by hand, in precise strokes, with acrylic paints, and he uses vinyl LP gramophone records as a base. Guided by intuition and recognition of the energy of the environment, objects and living beings, unique and unrepeatable works of art are created.
Dejan, how did your artistic work begin?
- The story started out of boredom. I wanted to do something new and then I thought that it should be something new. Since I was doing the icons on glass, so I used contour paste, the turntable was a nice surface to draw on. There is nothing to prepare, I just remove the label and that's it. I use only three colors: gold, silver and bronze.
Can we call it a special painting technique? You actually used the glass painting technique?
- Yes, contour paste can be used on any surface, the only condition is that the surface is smooth. If it is not smooth, the surface must be varnished. The paste dries quickly, in ten minutes, and after that it can be wiped with a wet cloth. She is persistent.
What are the motifs you depict?
- I always think about the energy around us. By the way, I do comic caricature, and I was always interested, when I draw a character, to bring it to life. That aura and energy around a person is what inspires me the most. Energy threads, which are around us. I want to somehow express that with drawn lines, because I'm more of a draftsman than a painter. I can also make pictures, but pictures don't inspire me. I like to do lines, dots…
You told me that you used to illustrate books. Is it still current?
- Unfortunately, it didn't. They asked me for that for a while, and they were, in fact, illustrations, but more like caricatures. As illustrations for children. These were individual orders, it was nothing constant.
In addition to drawing gramophone records, do you also make custom icons?
- Yes, I also do icons. I started painting icons by dreaming of making them and that's how it started. I make them on glass. It is done as in a mirror, ie. "counter direction". Hardly anyone wants to do that, because everything is done from scratch, so there is no erasure. When the glass is prepared, it starts with drawing, and as you do - that's it.
Can you explain that "counter direction"?
- Let's say, when painting on canvas, the background goes first, then as you finish the painting, you end up with the shadow. There is a counter on the glass. First, the contour is made, as, for example, when drawing with a pencil on paper, then the shadow goes first, and then all the way back in the direction of painting the canvas. When the image on the glass is turned, the glass is in front of the paint and the paint is protected. This technique is used by naive painters. They paint on glass and work in the "opposite direction", as in a mirror.
What is the favorite "picture", i.e. the record you painted? Maybe an anecdote with an unusual customer?
- I can't remember any special anecdote. Everyone approaches me. Both old and young. The appearance and painted panels attract them. When I tell them that it's about energy, although some recognize it, then it's just interesting to them. After that, we usually start some conversation about the energy around us.
Since this is a Recipes and Cookbook online site, I'm interested in what is your favorite dish that you prepare at home?
- I'm the "old" guy. I love beans, stew, those old dishes. Beans come first for me.
Can you share your bean recipe with us?
- I make beans the Macedonian way. I let the beans sit overnight. In the morning, I drain the water, add water again, then boil. I just add a little onion and carrot, maybe some dry meat and bacon. When everything is well cooked, I take out a ladleful of beans, mash them with a little fat. I add some allspice, fry it all and put it back in the beans. And that is that. In principle, I do not use flour. The spread is, in fact, made from beans, lard and allspice. So the beans look a little thicker, not as rare.
Finally, what do you like to order in a restaurant from traditional dishes that you can't prepare at home?
- Let's say, I haven't eaten tripe in a long time... But only if it's good, if the place has been checked. A chef must know how to cook that. I also like to order some fish, since I rarely eat fish at home. As for home cooking, I don't order it in a restaurant, because I know how to cook everything.
You can find Dejan Risteski at Sava Quay in the middle of Block 70 and help him stop being a "hidden artist". And he will surely ennoble you in many ways with his appearance, his actions, his energy. His Facebook account is: https://www.facebook.com/dejan.risteski.75
READ: WHERE CAN I BUY THE BOOK TRADITIONAL RECIPES OF HOME SERBIAN CUISINE?
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