Luxury of freedom

BIG BERRY PEOPLE

Meet Ninja Tiger from Art Colony

Where do you live? Rijeka. I lived there all my life,  I feel like it's my city. It's important to have a home, and I like to know where is mine. I travel to places, of course, but I always have to return. I was born there, and I have to die there.

What makes you feel home? My wife, and my 2 dogs.

Did you have any unusual projects? I had an exhibition - nothing crazy, but “unusual” maybe - where I painted a whole art gallery, using fluorescent spray paint, and it was exhibited with blacklights and smoke. That was really cool.

Why do you draw? I need to draw. I always drew when I was a kid, and continued ever since. If I wouldn't get paid for it, I would still do it.

What other job would you do, if drawing wouldn't be an option? Maybe I would deal with Masters of the Univers action figures, or custom made action figures and toys. I would make them, and trade them. Or as a "normal" job, maybe I could be a cook.

Are you attached to any personal objects? Yes. My Masters of the Univers figure collection. When I travel, I like to bring at least one with me. I only have Skeletor here now, the main bad guy.

What's the best day for you? When I get a new Masters of the Univers figure. And the day I married my wife.

Do you regret something? I don't have any big regret. It would've been great if I learned to play the guitar. I regret not having all Masters of the Univers figures as a kid.

Do you follow a diet? I am a vegetarian for 15 years now. It's a personal choice. Your choices have impacts on the environment, on animals. So I care about it.

What is the best taste you ever tried? Hard to choose one. I think ginger beer. Not the shitty cheap one, but good quality ginger beer.

Is there something you want to do before you die? I want to live before I die. That's the most important. I want peace, so you don't have to worry about money. So you can do what you like. And I would like to meet Arnold Schwarzenegger, that would be awesome.

What should not be illegal, in your opinion? Drawing on shitty walls. And weed, because it helps people with mental and physical problems. And it's a plant, it's natural.

What do you think about money? I believe, that the material and spiritual worlds are equally important. You need to keep them balanced. I am not a guy to live on a mountaintop in my underpants. I need stuff, and money makes life easier. But you can have all the money in the world, if you don't have people you care about, or if you are not in peace with yourself.

How is your relationship with your mother? It's good, I think she approves what I do. I was never an idiot, I never did extremely moronic stuff as a teenager. I never milked my parents for money. She always supported me. She let me choose my own path.

Interviewer: Bertold Berenyi
2018.04.17.