Interview
Rebecca Dzartov
Rebecca Dzartov is a mixed-media canvas artist based in Melbourne, Australia.
Rebecca’s work uses recycled plastic as an analogy for the Holy Spirit. Her work explores the relationship between consciousness and the source of all things, an intelligence that cannot be seen.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I started my art journey at the age of 16 when I started my tattoo apprenticeship. I quickly felt the need to create more than body art. I had been drawn to surrealism, it satisfied my need to be weird. Drawing inspiration from nature and spiritual experiences I started using recycled plastic for texture and an analogy for the Holy Spirit around 2021.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My work aims to relate science with biblical concepts. I aim to break the stigma that believers of God disregard spirituality and science, but to show that they actually go hand in hand. An example in my work would be a biblical concept spoken of from the first book of Genesis to the last book of Revelation.
Given to Israel through Moses the law was that to be convicted of a crime a testimony of 2 or 3 witnesses is needed for it to be considered truth.
My painting "Vaso & Zdravka" was painted as I explored the idea of the 2 waters being split at the start of creation as being one of the first pairs of witnesses created. Inspired by a 2014 documentary "Water Memory". This documentary follows a French virologist; Luc Montagnier a joint recipient of the 2008 Nobel Prize. The documentary shows Luc's experiments with water and DNA and how water has the ability to reproduce the properties of any substance it once contained. ”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“Everything is mapped out to begin with so that I know where to place the recycled plastic. The colours and shading just comes as I go. ”
Are there any art world trends are you following?
“Not really the only trend I seem to be following is trying to be more sustainable and using recycled material in a creative way.”
“My work aims to relate science with biblical concepts. I aim to break the stigma that believers of God disregard spirituality and science, but to show that they actually go hand in hand”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“My work comes through the inspiration of what I am currently looking into, and the image of how to portray that comes through prayer and meditation visually. I recently started a new series that aims to explore benevolent angelic energy. This started through art therapy I did with one of my clients through meditating and letting art come out organically. Then take that rough draft, transfer it onto a giant canvas, and add the recycled plastic. I grind the plastic down through different machines and stick it to the canvas. ”
What does your art mean to you?
“My art is how I let out steam. In my daily life I find it hard to talk to people about ideas I have. I like to not take things too seriously so it is an outlet and a part of me that I can use to express my true feelings about things instead of trying to do that in conversation.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“My favourite artwork is "Serena" because it was the first portrait I had completed and the first painting of mine to be sold in a gallery. I never wanted to paint faces but felt prompted to and after she was done I received so much positive feedback. This helped me realise I love creating characters.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“As mentioned previously "Serena" was my first painting to be sold at a gallery and was the only one to be sold on opening night. The Fitzroy Art Collective will hold a special place in my heart.”
