Boban Ilic

Art Brokerage: Boban Illic Yugoslavian Artist: The Sculptor Boban Ilic was born in the city of Nis, in Yugoslavia. He always knew, he would be an artist, and with that a new standard would be born, a new standard of forms, colors, and life. "I do not divide the real world from the dream world - I do not feel the borders of reality. The power of the world is truly my every day road, a road of parallels, never to touch. As a boy I drew faces in the sand with a stick - as a young student, I had a burning desire to see the flying man... often I would look at the sky, and, unable to see him, be very disappointed. Later, I saw the reflection of his wings many times in the sky - flying man as a follower and protector of dreams - powerful, beautiful, and muscular movement along with peace of the horizon - as graceful and peaceful as a bird in flight - he talks with silence and looks with closed, timeless eyes. Flying man in my head helps me to create my sculptures of metal. During the time of my studies, the most influential artist for me was my professor, Nandor Glid, a Hungarian Jew and Holocaust survivor. He was a powerful, but calm man, with a big, warm heart and brave thoughts. From him I learned a lot about the truth of the artist life, about honesty and morality, and the unusual life behind that magic line of art. I was always interested in composition, movement, and balance, dynamic exchange of energy in paintings and sculptures. The school I studied at, had a program based on abstract sculptures in the styles of Constantine Brancusi and Henry Moore (Art of the 50's and 60's). Static in fine forms, my expression was explosive, dynamic, and turbulent. With all these attributes it was always figurative. What I learned there about abstract sculpting, I still use today in the forming elements in the different worlds of design. Towards the end of my studies I felt unhappy in that environment, so I spent most of my time on the Adriatic coast at Montenegro, opened a small summer gallery and did a lot of joint shows with Kosta Kilibard - another artist, sculptor and friend. He taught me to look at the heart of nature and take from it the brightness and warmth of simple life. I remember, once when we talked in front of his studio, he said "Don't go to the meat market asking for soul, they just sell meat. At that time, I had traveled through Europe a lot, but the most striking experience was my first trip to America. In the summer of 1987 I was invited by my professor, David Greenwood, to come to the Kendall School of Art, to do a show together with him. This was a great experience and inspiration and I came back to Europe with my thoughts still back overseas." Listings wanted.