Ermin was born in former Yugoslavia (now Bosnia) in 1980. He is currently based out of Tampa, Florida, United States. He studied Art and Art History at the University of Central Florida and graduated from that institution in 2006. The artist also has a background in Graphic Design and has been creating art for over 25 years.
Tell us your story, why did you become an artist?
Art is something that always came to me naturally. Even as a kid Bosnia I felt I saw the world differently. My teacher in elementary school separated me from the other kids and had me work in his studio. He was an artist and showed me his work. When the war in Bosnia broke out in the early 90’s me and my family moved to Berlin. We lived there between 1993 and 1998. I immediately was drawn to graffiti and became a graffiti artist. Then in 1998 we moved to Florida and that’s where I left the graffiti behind and started seriously studying Art and Art History. I was immediately drawn to Picasso, Braque, the Cubist movement, and then Malevich and the Constructivists, and Mondrian and Neoplasticism. I also like DeChirico and his Metaphysical view of things, loved the Surreal movement as well especially artist like Magritte and Dali. It was all natural. I innately understood and could relate to what these guys were doing back then. So I started seriously painting in Florida 1998 and after.
When you create a new work, how do you go about it? What comes first?
I use a very basic art program to sketch. I like that as I can readily play around with shapes and colors and can visualize things better. Plus, I feel that my art should reflect the times we live in currently which living in the computer or digital age. When I start sketching it’s a process of adding and deducting until a composition emerges that I like. I save all my sketches and go back to them later. Everything comes from my imagination. I do get influenced by nature too. Lot of times here in Florida the sky has this deep blue tone to it, the sun is bright, and I love to see when it hits the surrounding buildings and the shadows it creates especially when I see it set against a modern house or building or structure. And that’s why I love to visit Miami for example as it has a lot of modern structures. And this can set things in motion in my imagination too.
What can you tell us about your studio, what makes it special to you and how does it influence the way you work?
I live in a 2 bedroom apartment and one of the rooms is my studio. It’s not a big space but big enough. Can’t afford a proper studio yet but hopefully in the future. I love having a separate space where I can go to and just focus on creating. It’s definitely very important. Once I close that door I’m in a different realm.
Is there a work of art in your life that has especially impressed you?
I would say that the Black Square by Malevich was and is one of my all-time favorite pieces of art. When I first discovered it back in 1998, I was blown away. It really opened my mind.
Reach to the stars: where will you be in 5 years?
In 5 years I can see myself being represented by a well-established international gallery with a global reach. I would love to be able to travel to all 5 continents and showcase my work. That’s why I’m striving to make my work look new and feel different and also as representation of the times we live in thus the hard-edge approach with a digital touch.
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