Nemanja Nikolic Prika

Ceramicist | Zemun, Serbia

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Art i Zanat

An illuminated world

Nemanja finds endless opportunities to express his ideas
He graduated from the University of Arts in Belgrade
Inspired by nature, he has an interest in illuminating objects

Nemanja Nikolic Prika took a ceramics class when he was 16, just as a hobby. But it was a revelation to him, and almost immediately he began to consider that he could become an artist. Today, every day is a journey as he pursues his research into ceramics, focusing on ideas related to movement and light. The most important thing for him is that his craft has a real application in life, however he also wants his pieces to convey emotions. He trusts his material to show him the best, most satisfactory outcomes.

Interview

©Milena Nikolic

©Milena Nikolic

What are your principal skills?: I have mastered all the traditional disciplines for creating in clay, including sculpting, drawing, painting and designing. Bearing in mind that clay has many forms, at the moment I specialise in the paper clay technique, which I use for creating illuminated objects.
What do you love most about your work?: Above all, I enjoy interacting with the material. I love it when the light runs through the paper porcelain, it creates a warm feeling with its natural palette of colours, from yellow to orange and red.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: I would say that tradition is reflected in the material that I work with, as well as in the techniques I use. However, I always try to add or create something new with some contemporary elements, such as light or new materials.
How would you define what you do?: I create applied art with clay. I have found a specific area that connects design, craftsmanship and art. The combination of my artistic idea with applicability is very important to me.

Nemanja Nikolic Prika is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2009