You may have heard of Rene Matić before seeing as the Peterborough born multi-hyphenate has their fingers dipped in lots of different practices. As an artist, writer and poet, Matić’s cross-medium approach challenges the status quo and they’re not shy of making sure their voice is heard loud and clear. Here’s what we found out about the young creative and take a look into how they make the Lola bag their own.
“I’ve always been an artist but when I was 18 I realized I literally couldn’t do and didn’t want to do anything else. It’s the only thing that fuels me.” - Matić
I bring together themes of post-blackness, glitch feminism, and subcultural theory in a meeting place I describe as rude(ness) – to interrupt and exist in-between. I take my departure point from dance and music movements such as Northern soul, Ska and 2-Tone, using them as sites to queer and re-imagine the intimacies between West Indian and white working-class culture in Britain.
All of my work is derived from my own experiences. If I’m photographing then I’m photographing myself, my family, or my community. The same goes for filming. My ‘personal background’ is one and the same as my work. You can’t separate them. Everything that surrounds my body – location, other bodies, politics, music, the air, that is what drives me.
I’ve always been an artist but when I was 18 I realized I literally couldn’t do and didn’t want to do anything else. It’s the only thing that fuels me.
I just love language and double meanings. I enjoy things that can be read in different and opposing ways — it’s like proof that there isn’t a single truth. But the concept of the work always dictates the medium. Sometimes you think ‘this would be a great film’ and actually it lends itself better to a piece of text or a photograph. It depends on the thing. I can be writing whilst thinking through a piece and then the piece actually just becomes that writing. It has a life of its own and it will let you know…normally in the middle of the night haha.
Burberry has its own concept for the Lola bag and I created my own version of what I thought that was. I suppose I created my own Lola bag. It’s this idea that the bag has this persona, so how does that feel?
It is what it is. I’m extremely lucky to be in the position that I’m in but there are obstacles. You always have to be ahead. I’m well aware of exploitation and tokenism, so it’s just about knowing what works for you, or what will work for you eventually. Find agency where you can. Find rest where you can. Stay true to yourself and trying not to compromise. Protection and care are key.
“I don’t know what the future holds, but hopefully a good wage, affordable housing, trans rights, legal abortions, and lots of care”- Matić
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