Art must come from an innate gift, not just training: Marina Abramović

Renowned Serbian performance artist Marina Abramović , widely known to Indian audiences for her iconic endurance works such as The Artist Is Present and the provocative Rhythm 0 , has highlighted the influence of Eastern spiritual traditions on contemporary performance art, saying they place greater emphasis on mindfulness and inner connection compared to Western approaches.

Abramović made these remarks while delivering a lecture titled “The Past, Present, and Future of Performance Art” at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale on February 10, according to a statement issued by the organisers.

Drawing from her decades-long career, Abramović spoke about the philosophical and emotional discipline behind performance art, describing it as a medium that demands complete awareness of both body and mind. She said that Eastern practices such as meditation and retreats have shaped her own creative process, allowing her to cultivate deeper concentration and endurance in her performances.

Reflecting on her transition from painting to performance art, Abramović recalled the powerful connection she felt during her first live performance. She defined performance art as a time-bound interaction between the artist and the audience, where the exchange of energy becomes central to the experience. Each performance, she noted, unfolds uniquely within a fixed space and duration, making it both temporary and deeply immersive.

On artistic identity, Abramović asserted that true creativity stems from an innate gift rather than formal education alone. While training can refine talent, she said authentic artistry must exist naturally. She illustrated this idea by referencing iconic figures such as Mozart , Michelangelo , and Frida Kahlo , noting that Kahlo continued to produce deeply personal work despite physical suffering and financial hardship.

Describing artistic dedication as an all-consuming pursuit, Abramović compared it to breathing. She suggested that while passion defines a good artist, truly great artists sacrifice comfort and stability to transform society’s understanding of art. She also stressed the importance of discovering one’s primary artistic medium early, warning that constantly shifting between forms of expression can dilute an artist’s identity.

During her address, Abramović paid tribute to Taiwanese-American performance artist Tehching Hsieh , calling him a pioneering figure whose endurance-based works surpassed even her own in intensity. She also acknowledged the influence of Australian artist Leigh Bowery , whose body-centric and theatrical performances challenged social norms and redefined ideas of identity, fashion and spectacle.

Abramović’s lecture offered a rare insight into the philosophy and discipline behind performance art, underlining its role as both a physical and spiritual practice rooted in the connection between artist and audience.