Branka Cavar

Lives and works in Calgary, AB, Canada

Artist statement

This series spans diagnosis through recovery.I explore meaningful moments in the coming of and life after being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Each painting is done without prior planning or sketching. Instead, I anchor them to a memory of connection, feelings, and the need for rediscovering myself in abstraction to keep my brain safe. The title was chosen to encapsulate that time in my life because of a dream I had where Frida Kahlo cupped myface with her hands and said 'Tell Them'. I paint primarily abstractly to keep my brain safe. A large part of my practice relies on me being in touch with myself, understanding how and why I am feeling a particular way and showing up no matter what I am feeling. Painting is prayer to me, and my relationship with my faith has continuously evolved with art. All my works are anchored to a memory: there is no planning, no color selection, no sketching. Those decisions belong to my creator. What I hold is the structure of the memory itself. Painting memories, for me, is painting the present: emotions, ideas, thoughts that are still alive—mindmaps distilled into the works you see. I always hope that any eyes on my work feel as though they are seeing their own memories in front of them, inviting new ideas and feelings into themselves. My greatest hope is share my art to reduce stigma surrounding psychotic disorders while also promoting empathy across communities as a whole.

Artwork