Staff Show 2019: Jovana Knezevic Brankovic

In this series, we highlight participants in This Is My Day Job: The 2019 James McLaughlin Memorial Staff Show, on view through September 29, 2019. 

Tell us about yourself? 

I am a Master of the fine arts and art history with a degree from one of Europe’s top art schools. I paint, draw, and sketch whatever makes me happy and occupies me at the moment, whether it’s landscapes from my travels, my dog ,my plants, or books that blow me away. The pleasure that I get from all my positive experiences are what drives me to try to convey my feeling to others through the canvas. 

What do you do at The Phillips Collection? What are some unique or interesting parts of your job? 

I work as a Museum Assistant. The best part of this job is communicating with our visitors. I love providing interesting facts about specific artists or artworks and generally information about museum. 

What is your favorite artwork? Why? 

I never had a favorite piece of art or a favorite artist. There are too many masterpieces to pick just one. But I would single out works of Van Gogh, Lucian Freud, Anselm Kiefer, as they have always inspired me. 

What do you like to listen to when you’re creating your art?

I usually play the radio or some random playlist on YouTube. I’m always so focused on my work so I never pay attention to music in the background. 

What would you like people to know about your artwork on view in the 2019 Staff Show (or your work in general)? 

I want people to recognize me for my adventurous spirit. My ability to let go, in order to follow my desires and find what drives me. My art is a piece of me, and my opportunity to share my perspective and experience with the rest of the world. I lived in San Diego for 2.5 years and my artwork Sunset Boulevard is a part of the series I created in California.