Life & Work with Branislava Dragovic of Ann Arbor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Branislava Dragovic

Branislava, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am Branislava Dragovic, an artist of diverse talents from Belgrade, Serbia. Since I was a child, my spirit has been drawn to the thrill of the unknown, the excitement of detours, and the freedom to express myself. There is a world out there to explore, and I felt that choosing a single path was never an option for me. Instead I have embraced all of my interests and let them intertwine and influence each other.

At 8 years of age, I discovered my love for acting, and the stage became my sanctuary. During the many years of war in my country, the stage was my refuge. It was my first love, my second home, and my safe space; where I could be myself, free from the chaos outside.

After many years of acting, I decided to make a turn and explore literature, transitioning “from the stage to the page.” This new chapter in my creative journey coincided with another significant change: my decision to emigrate to the United States.

As an alien in a new country, it took me years to find my way and discover how to pursue my passions. The journey was fraught with challenges, and while navigating my new life, I discovered two new profound loves: motherhood and the art of felting. These unexpected passions brought new purpose and meaning to my life, and have forever changed my path. My passion for creating new things was re-born and I returned to my roots of self-expression. I resumed acting and began writing short scripts, and my felting sculptures gained recognition, with acceptance into various exhibitions. But my greatest creation, and the one that brings me the most joy and fulfillment, is my family. They are my ultimate inspiration and source of strength. Their love and support fuel my creativity and motivate me to pursue my passions.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
“I am rooted, but I flow”. Life brings many challenges and obstacles, and that is the natural process of growing. As long as I am able to follow my gut, I will flow through these challenges, knowing that something good will come out of them.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a fiber artist, writer, and actor. I am best known for my fiber art and have had my work featured in several shows in Ann Arbor as well as Detroit (at St. Andrew’s Hall as part of RAWartists, an international arts organization). I combine needle felting with wet felting to create 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional sculptures. My creations are uplifting and colorful, and sometimes have a touch of background provocative humor, with the intention of catching people off-guard and making them think in a new light. My work will be part of an upcoming exhibition at the Gutman Gallery in Ann Arbor entitled “Emerge”, and also at the Detroit Month of Design 14th Annual Festival in September, entitled ENVIRONMENT + MICROCLIMATES.

Aside from my fiber art, I am most proud of my writing award for Best First-Time Writer for a Short Script at Script Awards Los Angeles, especially as someone for whom English is not their native language. I am currently working on bringing my script to the screen.

As an actor, my most treasured experience here in the U.S. was being part of multiple productions at the Purple Rose Theatre, both as an understudy and as a Directing Intern.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
When I was a kid, my mother told my sister and me that we were born under a lucky star, and I have always believed that to be the truth, even when my family and my country were going through the most difficult times. I believed that no matter how difficult things may seem, there is always something positive to focus on. As the song goes, “Always look at the bright side of your life”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rawartists.com/lumiva
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/branislavadrago and www.instagram.com/branislavadragovic