Episode 11 features an engaging conversation with the award-winning artist Nika Neelova, discussing her artistic career, process, and projects.

In this in-depth interview:

• Neelova shares insights into her nomadic childhood, work-life balance, and her nature as a workaholic.

• we delve into the challenges and physical demands of working with large-scale, site-specific art installations.

• Nika discusses her passion for working with found and reclaimed materials and the significance of material and historical context in her work

• the conversation also covers her collaborations with other artists and professionals, her approach to site-specific projects in remote locations, and the significant influence of literature and philosophy in her practice.

• Neelova gives examples of creating her own opportunities, and the continuous learning that comes with each project.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:22 Navigating Work-Life Balance

02:05 The Fascination with Archaeology and Historical References

02:43 Unconventional Interests: From Shark Teeth to Staircases

03:38 Exploring Roots: A Nomadic Childhood and Multilingualism

06:19 The Journey into Art: Education and Early Projects

07:17 The Evolution of Artistic Practice: Installation and Materiality

11:10 Collaboration and Learning in Artistic Production

17:17 The Role of Reclaimed Materials in Art

27:19 The Process of Creating Site-Specific Art

38:21 The Artistic Process: From Concept to Creation

39:12 Exploring the Depths of Material and Time

41:34 Embracing Serendipity

51:01 The Role of Research and Literature in Art

58:27 The Challenges and Rewards of Large-Scale Art

01:09:07 Creating Your Own Path in the Art World

01:11:38 Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Aspirations

Nika Neelova is based in London. You can check out her work on her website www.nikaneelova.com and on her Instagram @nikaneelova https://www.instagram.com/nikaneelova/

She works with:

Noire Gallery in Italy: https://www.noiregallery.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/noiregallery/

NIKA Project Space in UAE: https://www.nika-projects.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/nika.projectspace/

Parafin in the UK: https://www.parafin.co.uk/ | https://www.instagram.com/parafinlondon/

Also mentioned in this episode:

The Harris Matrix: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_matrix

Royal Academy of Art, The Hague: https://www.kabk.nl/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/royalacademyofart.thehague/

Slade School of Fine Art: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/slade/ | https://instagram.com/sladeschool/

Whitechapel Bell Foundry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitechapel_Bell_Foundry

Piazza Castello: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_Castello,_Turin

Gorgons: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgons

Perseo Triumfante: https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/museo-pio-clementino/Cortile-Ottagono/perseo-trionfante.html

Medusa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medusa

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/ | https://www.instagram.com/metmuseum/

Arts Council England: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/ | https://www.instagram.com/aceagrams

Undercover Softness, essay: https://www.scribd.com/document/134491812/Undercover-Softness-Architecture-and-Politics-of-Oecay-By-Reza-Negarestani

Reza Negarestani: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reza_Negarestani

Brighton CCA: https://brightoncca.art/ | https://www.instagram.com/brightoncca/

Sophie Williamson: https://www.williamsonwords.net/ | https://www.instagram.com/williamsonwords/

Daria Khan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daria-khan-4616a7181/?originalSubdomain=uk

Mimosa House: https://www.mimosahouse.co.uk/ | http://instagram.com/mimosahouselondon

Ron Mandos...