Meet Milan Bobinac

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Milan Bobinac a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Milan, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?

The empathy I carry with me as I navigate life evolved from witnessing the compassion and understanding my mother had as she navigated the substance abuse that permeated both the paternal and maternal halves of my family.
Growing up, I was acutely aware of our situation and the circumstances of my relatives. With substance abuse comes conflict and, in some cases, violence, coupled with generational poverty and lack of resources, housing, and education, creating perfect conditions for a chaotic, tumultuous upbringing. Throughout my childhood and into adulthood, I held so much resentment toward my relatives and their behavior it left me consistently disappointed, bewildered, and unsafe. It wasn’t until I stepped back and analyzed our dynamic and took everyone’s feelings and background into account that I finally resolved the issue within myself.
My mother never condoned this behavior. She attempted to shield us from the realities of our home life but knew that despite their sickness, my family could love and be loved. She approached the issues without judgment, stifling the resentment she must have felt to maintain a relationship with all parties involved. Her efforts did not go unnoticed; I realized early on the duality of our dynamic that despite the behaviors my relatives enacted, they still loved me at the core of their being. They were still human. It is human nature to want to be validated, supported and loved.
I approach much of life this way, giving individuals the benefit of the doubt and connecting on a human level despite social, economic, or political standings. It isn’t easy, nor does it solve all the existing problems, but it does, for a brief moment, allow for an insight that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

It is crucial in my work to translate the shared cultural experiences that come with growing up in the inner city, specifically across the southwest. My artistic practice developed through this common ground; addiction and economic instability united the members of my community in Maryvale despite our varying cultural backgrounds. The ambiguous nature of my imagery aims to connect viewers similarly, allowing the audience to draw from their memories using my work as a common ground to relate. I aim to expand this imagery to encompass the thematic qualities that define the “human experience,” tackling the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of being. My choice of medium is oil paint on canvas; this is with the intent to create an underlying juxtaposition between medium and subject. I primarily paint imagery typically deemed low class, gritty, or disposable to juxtapose with the medium’s historical exclusivity.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back on my journey, I feel that the life lessons I learned throughout my artistic practice have proved to be the most impactful compared to the training I received. Learning to let go of perfectionism and accept the process of making art in its entirety, shifting the expectations of my work, has allowed for so much creative freedom when approaching any subject. Throughout my journey, I have learned that technical skills can only lend you so much mobility; the knowledge of your subject and the emotion or feeling it evokes holds more weight. The advice I would give to those who are starting this journey is to let go of the need to be technically sound but rather search for purpose in creating.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

My parents’ most impactful contribution was teaching me how to be empathic toward not only my family but also my neighbors and the community as a whole. Without their guidance, I wouldn’t be the woman or artist I am today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://milanbobinac.com
• Instagram: alrightmilan