Location: Canada
Dragica first studied Illustration at Sheridan College. She then pursued her arts studies at OCAD, in print making, silk screening and fabric design.
Combining her love for design and sculpture, her work has evolved and taken on a style that is incredibly strong, both emotionally and physically.
As an artist, Dragica approaches her work as an athlete would prepare for competition, with discipline and practice.
Since returning to painting in 2013, Dragica has been juried into group shows in Toronto and Collingwood, invited to participate in two plein air excursions, and exhibited in two solo shows in Collingwood.
Also see website at www.dragicav.com
Power & Foundation finds its roots in people. It celebrates those who, through strength, knowledge and skill, build and maintain the unseen or unnoticeable.
As an artist, my biggest thrill is meeting people. I gain new insight and respect every time I am on job sites. The thirst for knowledge and the constant discovery are what keep me fascinated. My inspiration and motivation are the women and men who work with the most precise tools, with heavy equipment, deep in the trenches or high on poles and scaffolding, running the thinnest wires or laying the largest conduits. The paintings are highly influenced by the characters and personalities, the sounds and conversations, even the weather. When back at the studio, memories, colour, texture, brush strokes, light and a good dose of music, are how I can share the energy, power and enthusiasm.
The paintings, as are the sceneries depicted, are meant to be accessible, to be displayed where children and adults of all ages can experience the art and appreciate the personalities portrayed within the context. The exhibit is as much about how we fit in with the designs we create, the structures we build, the equipment we use and locations we chose, as it is about the admiration for the women and men at the heart of it all and the recognition that there will always be the need for the human element.
The human form and anatomy remain at the core of her work. And while construction sites have occupied a large part of Dragica Vidakovic’s recent paintings, infrastructure had not been an area she had dared to explore. These sites, with the heavy machinery, can be intimidating and almost unapproachable. But family and friends were instrumental in challenging Dragica, giving her the confidence to pursue her interest in the subject and to connect with the people.
“CREW CUTS” is about people who are always present yet easily dismissed from our thoughts. They are part of our daily lives and are essential to our wellbeing. They make things work for us. Their strength and expertise are indispensable, yet we often get aggravated by their constant presence and the space they occupy. We rarely take the time to engage with them or even recognize the importance of their contribution.
With a more “graphics” approach, this collection captures real life scenery (not often studied), the interaction of crew members and the importance of team work that prevails on every job site. By getting to know the workers, Dragica was able to become part of the “infrastructure”, almost invisible, making it possible for her to observe and to draw without compromising the un-posed reality of the setting.
The people are the heart and soul of the paintings. Their depiction, the setting, and the almost human relationship with the tools and machinery they use, are what compels you to “feel” the sounds, smells, movements, and even the vibrations of the ground.
“Shake, Rattle & Roll”
“On the Edge”
“High Voltage”
“Lifeline”
“Rusty Chain”
“Bridges & Structures”
“Pickard Boys”
“Turn it Up Loud”
“Made in Canada”
