PCA

2011

Photography 4 x 59 x 39 cm

The piece PCA (Pioneers of Contemporary Art) pays tribute to the Slovenian artist collective Irwin by portraying them as pioneers. Through this work, I reflect on the political, economic, and social transformations that occurred in the former Yugoslavia, using Irwin as a symbolic reference point.

Slovenia, the home country of Irwin, served as both a political and economic model for other parts of the former Yugoslavia during times of change. As a conceptual art group, Irwin was not only a creative force but also a source of inspiration for many artists of my generation, including myself. Their work navigated the complexities of post-Yugoslav identity, making them pivotal figures in the region’s contemporary art history.

In the photographs, Irwin members are depicted as pioneers—a status that resonates with the communist-era tradition of young students being formally inducted as “pioneers” when they began primary school. This layering of historical and cultural symbolism connects their artistic legacy to the broader socio-political context of the former Yugoslavia, highlighting their role as trailblazers in both art and societal transformation.

Photographs by: Uros Abram