Viktor Mitic is a present-day painter and sculptor. He was born in Yugoslavia, located in southeastern Europe. His work is very controversial because he uses firearms to create his art.
(Mitic, Viktor. 38 Special.
bullets holes from semi-automatic rifle & acrylic on canvas.)
He learned to shoot guns by serving in the Yugoslavian military. He then moved to Canada and then graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in fine arts. Mitic presently lives in Canada but, goes to the United States to create his art because firearms are illegal in Canada.
(Mitic, Viktor. Hole Jesus. c. 2008.
bullet holes from a semi-automatic rifle, gold leaf& acrylic on canvas.)
Hole Jesus was created by firing 22-caliber bullets at a canvas from an M16 rifle. He was inspired to create the work after an art dealer told him that his work ought to be more ‘penetrating’. It was displayed at Toronto’s Trias Gallery and created a media storm of controversy.
(Mitic, Viktor. Winchester Beauty.
bullet holes from semi-automatic rifle & acrylic on canvas.)
“Channeling the proper energy as well as choosing the right tool is essential," says Mitic. "I carefully choose the type of ammo and the weapon for each subject I paint. Some viewers consider this to be blasphemous when I focus on religious icons, but I believe that using a gun to create imagery is a sign of our times.”
(Mitic, Viktor. The Blast Supper. c. 2009.
bullet holes from a semi-automatic rifle, gold leaf& acrylic on canvas.)
Mitic’s work is very notorious because of the way that it is created. He forces the viewer to rethink how they think of guns, whether they think of them as a tool or as a weapon, and his work is much appreciated here!
Enjoy :)
