Melanie Jurko: Neimenovano

Melanie Jurko je letos maturirala in trenutno nadaljuje študij arhitekture. Umetnost jo navdušuje že od nekdaj, predvsem slikarstvo in arhitektura, navdih pa pogosto črpa tudi iz filma in literature. Svoje ustvarjalno pot je začela že v vrtcu, intenzivneje pa se je s slikanjem začela ukvarjati v srednji šoli, kjer jo je še posebej pritegnil motiv ženskega akta. Med šolanjem je sodelovala na številnih dogodkih, likovnih natečajih in razstavah, pri čemer jo je vedno spodbujala profesorica Natalija Rojc Črnčec. Letos je pripravila svojo prvo samostojno razstavo z naslovom Ekstaza, ki je bila predstavljena v mladinskem razstavišču Avla na Prvi gimnaziji Maribor.

O razstavi

Razstava Neimenovano postavlja na ogled neidentificirane akte ženskega telesa -  figure so brez obrazov, kot so neimenovana tudi njena dela. Umetnica meni, da lahko sama telesa govorijo glasneje in na skrivnosten način razkrivajo svoja občutja, ki jih z besedami preprosto ne moremo opisati.

Navdih za motive črpa iz lastnih izkušenj in vseh čudovitih žensk v svojem življenju. Privlači jo predvsem vznemirljivost in provokativnost ženskega akta, pri čemer telesa na njenih delih niso objektivizirana. Nasprotno, skozi estetiko ženskega telesa različnih oblik in poz podaja družbeno kritiko ter opozarja na pritisk lepotnih idealov, ki jih že dodatno povečujejo in poveličujejo družbena omrežja. Pogosto jo sprašujejo, zakaj ravno ženski akt. Njen odgovor je vedno enak: »Zakaj pa ne? Mar ni naše telo že samo po sebi umetnost?«

Melanijine umetnine odražajo tudi njen osebni razvoj, zlasti skozi barve in tehnike. Risbe z ogljem so manjše, temnejše in bolj skrivnostne, medtem ko so akrilne slike na platnu svetlejše in živahnejše, pogosto delujejo ekstatično. Zlato ozadje, ki ga uporablja, poudarja razkošje in brezčasnost ter ustvarja močan vizualni       kontrast. Tako umetnica skozi svoje delo ponazarja ravnovesje med močjo in nežnostjo, spokojnostjo in ekstazo: »Zlato ozadje simbolizira razkošje in brezčasnost, hkrati pa dodaja dimenzijo globine, ki povezuje moč z nežnostjo ter spokojnost z ekstazo.«

Melanie Jurko: Unnamed

Melanie Jurko graduated this year and is currently pursuing her studies in architecture. She has always been fascinated by art, particularly painting and architecture, and often draws inspiration from film and literature. Her creative journey began in kindergarten, but she started painting more intensively in high school, where she developed a particular interest in the motif of the female nude. During her schooling, she participated in numerous events, art competitions, and exhibitions, always encouraged by her teacher Natalija Rojc Črnčec. This year, she held her first solo exhibition, titled Ecstasy, presented in the youth exhibition space Avla at the Prva gimnazija Maribor.

About the exhbition

The exhibition Unnamed showcases unidentified nudes of the female body-figures that are faceless, just as her works remain unnamed. The artist believes that bodies themselves can speak louder and, in a mysterious way, reveal emotions that cannot be captured in words.

Melanie draws inspiration for her motifs from her own experiences and the remarkable women in her life. She is particularly drawn to the excitement and provocativeness of the female nude. However, the bodies in her works are not objectified. On the contrary, through the aesthetic depiction of the female body in its various shapes and poses, she delivers social    critique, highlighting the pressures of beauty ideals, which are further amplified and glorified by social media. When asked why she focuses on the female nude, her response is always the same: »Why not? Isn't our body an art in itself? «

Melanie's artwork also reflects her personal growth, particularly through her use of colour and technique. Her charcoal drawings are smaller, darker, and more mysterious, while her acrylic paintings on canvas are brighter, more vibrant, and often ecstatic. The gold background she uses emphasizes luxury and timelessness, creating a striking visual contrast. As she explains: »The gold background symbolizes luxury and timelessness, while also adding a dimension of depth that connects strength with tenderness and tranquillity with ecstasy. «