I was always an artist. I started as a fashion designer in Serbia, where I was born and raised. I had a great and successful career building my own brand. I moved to the US in 2007 and made a switch in my medium. I started painting murals and big-scale abstracts.
This was what I always desired. For a while, I needed to maintain other creative jobs to keep the roof over my head and my child. But I haven’t given up on who I am – and with a good plan and dedication, I could fully pursue my dream of becoming a full-time artist.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life is an obstacle in itself. And every day has new challenges. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and do what has to be done to activate your goals.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe you can tell us more about your work next?
My name is Bojana Ilic aka BOJITT. I am an artist. Serbian-born and raised, US-based. Following a successful career in the fashion design industry in Serbia, I moved to the United States in 2007. Leveraging more than 25 years of combined experience, my passion for art and design ignites my work mission to develop and deliver client brands by deepening consumer’s visceral connection.
My work is internationally present, and ranges from public and private collections, art on-screen in contemporary productions, and television to public art focused on women’s rights, community empowerment, social justice, and equality. From Willis Tower Chicago, Kohl’s Children’s Museum Glenview, Art In Embassies program, FX+ TV show Justify, and Apple+ Dark Matter to my personal donation mural to small town Pirot in Serbia, where I grew up.
Most recently, I have been represented by Art in Embassies-US Government’s International Art Program, and I was in a mural artist residency in Sicily, where I created a three-story mural celebrating traditions and craft.
My next international artist residency will take place in France, where I plan to create for the month of April. My plan is to dive into the culture and the way people communicate about their feelings and the traditions they carry through generations to express LOVE.
My work speaks directly from my heart to others who find a deep connection with my way of communicating BOLDLY through art while simply celebrating life and inspiring conversation. As I like to say, “Spreading LOVE’’.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Life is a risk. If you want to live- you have to take chances. I always bet on myself. And I never expect anything to be just given to me.
My best risk-taking was to pack up and move to the US. Anything after that was and is just another thing to do.
