Otherness: Forty Years Painting the Other

As part of the FASMA 2026 program, this thought-provoking talk invites audiences to explore the concept of "Otherness" through the perspective of an artist whose work has been shaped by more than four decades of observing, portraying, and engaging with people from diverse cultures and communities around the world.

Drawing on painting, personal experience, and years of travel, the presentation reflects on the invisible boundaries that separate "us" from "others." Rather than emphasizing difference, it reveals the shared humanity that emerges when prejudice and inherited assumptions are set aside.

Art as a Bridge Between Cultures

Throughout a forty-year artistic journey, the speaker has portrayed individuals and communities striving to preserve their identity, including Croatians during the breakup of Yugoslavia, the Maya and Comcáac peoples of Mexico, Orthodox monastic communities, and even his own personal story. Each encounter has deepened an understanding of identity, memory, belonging, and human connection.

Through images, stories, and reflections, the audience is invited to reconsider the meaning of difference and discover how art can become a powerful instrument for empathy, dialogue, and mutual understanding.

What You Will Discover

• A personal reflection on the meaning of "Otherness" through the lens of visual art.
• Stories gathered over forty years of artistic practice and cultural encounters.
• Experiences with communities working to preserve their cultural identity.
• An exploration of empathy, diversity, and the values that unite us beyond our differences.
• An opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session with the artist.

The presentation lasts approximately 45 to 60 minutes, followed by a 30-minute audience discussion and Q&A session. An optional visit to the artist's studio offers participants a unique opportunity to continue the conversation while experiencing the creative environment behind the work.

More than an artist's talk, this is an invitation to reflect on our shared humanity and to discover how art can reveal the profound connections that exist beyond the superficial boundaries that divide us.