Artist in conversation: Why Not Me
The design is not finished, until someone is using it.
Meet the unique and innovative artist known as Why Not Me, a creative who believes in the power of music and the universality of clothing as a canvas for art. Why Not Me’s work is a beautiful fusion of music and visual art, with each piece being dedicated to a specific song or album that inspires them while painting.
Why Not Me's journey into the world of art is deeply personal, rooted in their belief that art should not be confined to traditional spaces. For them, art belongs on clothes, the things we carry with us every day. This belief stems from their own life experiences, particularly their challenging journey of fleeing Ukraine due to war.
Why Not Me's approach to art is as much about giving as it is about creating. They believe in leaving a part of themselves with the people they meet, a unique gift of appreciation. Clothes, being easy to carry and always useful, became the perfect medium for this. Music plays a significant role in Why Not Me's creative process. The songs, the albums, the lyrics - they all contribute to the mood and message of each piece. Their artworks often feature lyrics, usually difficult to read but meaningful to the wearer.
Their art on clothes is not just visually pleasing but it's a token of shared memories, of times spent together.
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
I became an artist because I feel peaceful and happy when I do it. Just a clear mind. Kind of meditation
I had another handwriting in school, it's not very readable and made for talking to a friend in class. So even if the teacher notices, no one but me and my friend will be able to read it.
When I got the idea to draw on T-shirts, I realized that I couldn't just do it the same way as on paper, because the fabric behaves differently, so a new handwriting for textiles was invented.
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
For me, music has a huge impact on my life. It can fix my thinking, help me overcome problems, and make me happy. All my artworks are devoted to music. I listen to a song or album in a loop all the time while I'm painting. Lyrics from the song are important . The visual part, the way artwork looks, is inspired by what I see in everyday life, or just ideas that pop into my head. For example, I have a t-shirt inspired by a pattern on a trash can.
You mentioned that you believe art should be on clothes because they are a part of our everyday lives. Could you elaborate on how you envision integrating your artwork into clothing? What impact do you hope it will have on the wearer and the longevity of your art?
The canvas with the art placed in the house may not be seen for a lot of people. But the art on the cloth will be seen because the person will wear it and demonstrate to anyone who will meet during the day.
There are several reasons why I started painting on clothes.
First of all, each person is unique, and we can see this in the way a person behaves, what he likes and how he prefers to look. And clothes are the thing that is in the life of any person. Because, unfortunately, we can't just walk naked through the streets :) Just kidding. A person may or may not have works of art at home, but they always have clothes.
The second important moment came to me when I fled Ukraine because of the war. I took with me only a little bag with myself and that's it. When it comes to life matters, there is no time or thought about what you will take with you if you need to prepare in a short time to get away from the war. Documents, clothes, pets and you're done.
So during this new chapter of my life in another country I met a lot of amazing people who helped me to go through such a tough period of time. I knew that one day our paths would part. So I wanted to leave something in their lives that I would make, a unique gift in appreciation for being a part of my life. Considering that each of us did not know in which country and when the journey would end, I definitely did not want to give a canvas that would be difficult to carry.
So I came up with the idea to create a piece of cloth that is useful anyway, that is easy to take with you anywhere, and that becomes real art when a person wears it. One of my favorite clothing brand has the statement - The design is not finished, until someone is using it.
In addition, my painting of clothes requires very gentle washing and special care after it. The art dies on the fabric anyway, but how the wearer handles the artwork can help it stay vibrant longer. The person will interact with the work of art and the fabric and will not forget the times we went through together.
The music, the songs, the albums have a huge impact in my life, and in the lives of many people. What do you feel, how do you get inspired when you listen to music? The lyrics on my artworks are usually difficult to read, but the person who wears it knows exactly what is written.
I made one of my first T-shirts when I was in a situation of silent bullying, and the words I wrote on it - Always stay this way - because I did not want to change myself because of the situation.
Can you discuss a specific piece or project that challenged you as an artist, and how you overcome those challenges?
Sometimes the pattern is too complex and I misjudge how much effort I need to put into creating it. Sometimes I find it difficult to listen to music.
The Linkin Park - Numb seems to me the most time-consuming work, if you take into account the mental effort. This song is very close to me, so it was hard to listen to it over and over again while drawing. But in the end something changed and I felt relieved.
How do you stay connected with other artists and keep up with new developments and trends in the art world?
I mostly look at artists on social media like Instagram or TikTok.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
It's always interesting to get feedback on what people see, how they feel about a piece of art. Some of them can help you add something new, some can help you become more confident in your vision. But anyway in my case, an artwork is how I see and feel music, how I embody ideas from my head, so I will always have the last word.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
I move the focus from the finished result to the process. I love to paint, I love to listen to music, and I like both of them when they get together. Usually every next idea gets complicated and sometimes I get tired because of the hard work and because painting is not my main job at the moment, but anyway I like what I do and how it looks. As soon as I get stuck, I just gently force myself to start - and after an hour or two I find some progress. Painting is like meditation for me, I just fall into the process.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
Oh, I'm very excited. It seems to me that participation in an exhibition is a special moment for any artist.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
I got a lot of ideas related to calligraphy tied with the music. I have a separate list with all of them to be sure each is not wasted, forgotten or lost. The ideas just cannot leave me in peace, I need to get them embodied in real life.