PLada Tomašić is the first of the younger generation of Croatian artists who dared to use textile design, in which she has also acquired a master’s degree, solely for artistic purposes. Her recently opened exhibition “Textile Contexts” shows the result of her artistic expression, through which she approaches textiles as a sculptor would approach his own material, she relieves it from all its usual functions and breathes life into it on a different level of being, as pure art.

Inspired by the phenomenon of design and creation, the multifunctional materials we use in everyday life, their combining and unification of different forms, textures, patterns and colours; this inexhaustible source of construction and interpretation led the author to create this textile installation experiment.

Fantastic playfulness through shapes and colours, discarded materials like a potato bag, rope, sound absorbing foam, intervention on old materials and their permeation are the starting point for creating a new fantasy for Lada – finding a new context of existence. By recycling certain old materials, combining different shapes and textures by cutting and sewing, she creates a new entity with which she creates composition, but also questions the boundaries of kitsch.

Being original in textile design means making the best use of an old vocabulary, in which Lada Tomašić certainly succeeds. “In context of the times we live in, it is necessary to point out the purpose of the presence of various objects and materials we use in our everyday life”, says the young artist, for whom this is her a second solo exhibition. She insists that fashion is not entirely a matter of fact, but an indication of socially imposed change. Since social processes are not mechanical, but largely dependent on the thoughts, feelings, intentions and, above all, perception of individual members of society, a certain ‘indication period’ passes before the public accepts and understands new events and puts them in relation to the current set of ideas.

In the context of questioning human freedom, in essence, these pieces explore the relationship between form and composition, sense and nonsense, the new and the old, and the multifunctionality as the revival of a new consensus. Lada also uses embossed forms and strong and playful colours that further “enhance” the character of the canvas.

In her artwork, Lada did not move away from exploring the aesthetic and decorative segment of textiles, but as a different product for space decoration and as a more complex, concise contemplation about how to present a textile object, its formation, visual expression and its creation as a tool for provocation, or any another form of conceptual work.

Each of Lada’s pieces on display at the Aristos Hotel reveals a completely different story, invoking the full spectrum of emotions and gives testimony to her inexhaustible artistic inspiration. While, for example, the “Theatre Girl” is seductive and almost childishly charming with the paper fortune-tellers and lace, “Viva La Fiesta” bursts with unstoppable animal energy, and “Underground” launches us into areas of bluish abstraction of spirit. Tenderness and strength, contemplation and joy, heaviness and peace, an endless series of forms and feelings – all this is reflected in the work of this young artist, who certainly has a long creative career ahead of her.

The exhibition is open until October 11th.

Source: Jutarnji.hr