Spanish artist Pejac creates art in various forms and contexts, all with a simple, yet perspective-shifting quality that makes it distinctly his own. His street interventions often involve simple silhouettes, placed in a way that silently raises big questions on morality, social consciousness and environmentalism. We caught up with Pejac for an insight into his practice and his vision.
What are the issues you are most passionate about?
Social and environmental issues. These issues are important to me for the same reason they should be important for everybody. I approach these themes because for me they define the world we live in, and I feel strongly that these issues need to be confronted.
Through my work, I connect with people who are already aware of what is happening, and I hope to connect with people who are perhaps unaware, or uncaring of these issues.
For me, art is not a way to escape from the world conflicts, but to actually connect with them.
Who inspires you?
My inspiration comes from everywhere. What inspires me most are human beings, in their brightest and darkest moments and the relationships to the world we’re in.
I would say that while not paying attention to anything, I am paying attention to everything, so everything is my inspiration.
What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever received?
I always try to apply this rule – if the person giving me the advice has a life that I don’t like or want, I do the exact opposite.
What has been your greatest challenge?
Probably the work I completed in Palestinian and Syrian refugee camps in Jordan. My main intention was to bring creativity to the camps for the refugees to enjoy.
Today, I feel the conflict is very much seen as East vs. West. The way I see it is that there’s good and bad in most stories, which shouldn’t keep one from speaking out. I also feel that there is an isolation with this part of the world, there is a perception of it being far away and that the people are not like ‘everyone’, so I felt I had to go there, to know these people as people.
What is next for you?
I have my first large exhibition in London at Londonewcastle from July 22nd to 31st. It’s called ‘Law of the Weakest’. The artworks reflect the last two years of my life. The exhibition is truly aimed at everybody. I like to think that my work is universal and can engage with a very wide audience.
I try not to be too conceptual with the aim of reaching everyone, even people who think they have no interest in art. Through producing my work in public spaces, I hope it is not elitist nor exclusive.
To follow Pejac’s thought-provoking work, visit his website.
