Mate Pavic is a Dutch Fine Artist based in the Netherlands, specializing in the medium of Indian Ink on paper. In his work, he showcases his heritage as he authentically unites aspects of both the rich Dutch traditions in the fine arts and influences from Croatian traditions in the Naive Arts.

Philosophically, Pavic is driven by a submission to spontaneity, and a will to allow the piece itself to take control of its destiny. In rejecting goal-oriented thinking, the artist assumes the role of medium, and, in doing so, the piece is allowed the freedom of its becoming. This philosophy allows chaos to exist such that it breeds order, and allows death to exist such that it breeds rebirth, causing a state of constant flux that expresses itself in the organic nature of the piece.

Pavic draws from Medieval art, the Dutch Masters (in particular Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel the Elder), Edvard Munch, German Expressionism, and Naive Art. Being of a Dutch-Croatian background, these influences reflect both his aesthetic identity and his heritage, and he brings them together in a manner that is distinctly his own. In this way, his work establishes a contemporary dialogue with the greats of the old traditions.

In his process, Pavic is a follower of the piece rather than its leader. He submits himself to the piece, rather than to dominate it. And he reacts to the needs of the piece, rather than actively dictating his personal wants. The relationship with his work is defined by selflessness, truthfulness, and humility. In humbly selfless yet truthful submission to the art, the needs of the piece can freely take precedence over the wants of the artist, and the piece can grow unrestrained.

“Art is not about what the artist wants, but about what the artwork needs. And to see that most clearly, one must be selfless in the practice of one’s work.”

Due to the spontaneous nature of the process, there is not one single theme or subject that the artist is consciously exploring. Any piece has the permission to become what it is. However, a natural fascination with the human being and its place in modern life allows for an unconscious recurrence of these themes. In Pavic’s work, subject matter such as the human face and human figure are a constant. They are often placed or woven into large and complex compositions, resembling dreamlike depictions of a modern and often dark world in which the Zeitgeist is allowed to reflect itself.

As a self-taught artist, Pavic has spent a decade going through various phases, experimenting in each phase with how to apply ink to paper differently. As a result of this lengthy exploratory phase, the artist achieved mastery levels of control over the medium of Indian Ink. Today, Pavic is highly expressive in his style, while also having the control to yield very different styles when the situation demands it. His works, as a result, contain different techniques, of various styles, fittingly woven into each other. This lends his work a richness for the eye and allows it to be multidimensional on the technical front.

In terms of technique and what instruments are used, Pavic uses various nibs, brushes, knives, cloths, and self-made instruments to apply the Indian ink to paper. The artist makes a point of using exclusively analog media and avoids using advanced technological instruments as part of the creative process. In an increasingly digital age, Pavic wants his work and the way it comes about to reflect the value of craftsmanship, the value of working with one’s hands, and, ultimately, the value of what it means for a thing to truly be a human product.

Pavic seeks to intrude upon the spectator, both on the emotional as well as on the intellectual level, by layering expressiveness and technique into one another. His work is organic in nature, and spontaneous in its creation as it unfolds unconsciously through the selfless attitude that defines his relationship with the piece. Historical influences are re-engaged from a new perspective, as Pavic honors the Masters who came before him. He explores the human being in its Zeitgeist, in a way that is both expressive and craftsmanlike, with mastery levels of control of the medium - Indian Ink on paper.