'Depressing Optimism'..Meeting Momcilo Bjeković
Momcilo Bjeković was born in 1977 in Sarajevo. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) in 2005 and now lives and works in Belgrade. He is a member of The Serbian Association of Fine Arts and has exhibited widely in his home country through several solo and group shows.
Working largely in oil on canvas, with some exceptions of collage artworks, Bjeković’s paintings reveal an interpretation of what he calls a ‘depressing optimism’ – with the artist’s goal being to overcome depression on the canvas. This symbolism is presented by a juxtaposition of black tones with saturated bright colour. Every painting has its starting point in jet black, which symbolically ‘eats away at the joy of the bright colours” that are added as the painting progresses.
“As the process goes further the pitch black is slowly blended away into the bright colours, which serve as a metaphor for happiness, love and “feel-good” emotions. At the very end, the black is still there as a reminder, but not as an open wound.” - Momcilo Bjeković
Have you always pursued a career as an artist? If not, please tell us more about what you did before becoming a professional artist, and what brought you to your current practice.
My story so far is quite common among artists' biographies. When I was younger I even participated in the Biennial of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean in Sarajevo with a painting I did with paint on concrete. I often had no money, but art always followed me. When I thought of quitting something would happen, a miracle that would bring me back to the path of art. Most often these were affirmations of my talent, so I continued. When times were hard, I tried many different jobs, but these failed attempts aren't even worth talking about. Today, I live a more relaxed life and I can say that I do only what I love to do and that means that I paint a lot and write essays about my work. My friends and family have always been very supportive of my artistic path.
What inspires you?
What inspires me is the idea that through my paintings, I can present the world in an unusual yet realistic way. The monotony that rules in many places around us affects me. I don't want to admit to myself that I live in a boring world. I'm trying to make life more interesting and I think I'm succeeding. I read a lot and think about the world and the developments within it and so I come up with ideas for new paintings. I love the preparatory phase, it is unavoidable. Lately, I've found direct inspiration in different cultures of the world and in some characteristics of these cultures. Also, a great inspiration to me is my audience. I simply cannot afford a big break in my work, because I feel a responsibility towards the people who want to see what I've done recently. Thanks to social networks my paintings are seen by a large number of people all over the world before it even dries. It is a new way of connecting with the viewer that has in many ways contributed to the expansion and promotion of art.
As an artist, what themes are you concerned with in your work?
I try to always have a new theme. I'm not one of those painters who devote themselves to a single subject over a long period of time and work on it patiently and express it in many different ways. But, what connects the narrative in all of my paintings is an effort to show optimism in difficult situations. The characters in my paintings help me share political, religious and social messages and express some of my views on them. I want to portray the political world and not discuss politics. When I paint religion, I don't paint just one religion, I show many of them. I want to present a global picture of the world.
Tell us about some of your most important exhibitions to date. Why were these were so important for you personally and for your career?
My favorite exhibition was the first one I had. At the time I had no idea that I would be a professional painter. When I was 6 years old, my drawing was exhibited for the 1984 Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo and used to represent the children of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Then I was not aware that much later I would be proud to have my talent singled out at such an early age. Another one that was really important to me was a charity exhibition, organised to combat substance abuse. There I participated with several of my professors from the faculty and some fellow artists. Both of these exhibitions have great emotional significance to me, and when I think about important exhibitions, the first ones that come to mind are always the ones with personal value.
How, if at all, has your artwork changed over the years?
I went through long experimental phases and periods of learning and just getting to know the world of art. At one point, I even studied Byzantine painting, while helping the icon painters in Orthodox churches in Serbia. I also went through a phase when I learned by visiting art therapy clinics. Since I'm not dependent on the market, I never did any commercial work. I could try out anything I wanted, including various schools and directions in painting. I think that this freedom, experimentation and study has significantly influenced my painting today.
How do you see your work developing in the future?
Now I am at a point where I do a lot of thinking about my future as a painter. I write about it, with the idea that through writing I can figure out what is good about my painting, and what still needs improvement. I never know how I'll paint tomorrow. I think I will, among other things, introduce some old and forgotten political and religious symbols. I want to present them in the spirit of the new era. As I already said, Byzantine painting has an influence on my work, but I am a postmodernist and I work in the spirit of the times in which we live.
Have you done any residencies - in particular those abroad? If so, how was your experience of being in a new place and creating art?
Yes, I lived and painted in three large cities here in the Balkans. I was born in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and lived there until the Civil War, then I graduated in Banja Luka (RS), and now I live in Belgrade (Serbia). Every city teaches us something new and observing painters from different places on earth gives us a different perspective and new knowledge. I like traveling and I like visiting museums, but I do my best work and feel the most comfortable in the peace of my own studio in Belgrade.
Why did you join the Go Global Art community?
The Internet is now very important for everyone, including us artists. Go Global Art is bringing us closer and making us more accessible to a large number of potential buyers. I am glad that I can say that I was there almost from their very beginning. I want us to develop and make progress together. The people in Go Global Art are professional and pleasant, they work without any bureaucratic impediments and complications. I cooperate with them because in doing so I'm in the company of the best.
Momcilo Bjeković is one of several artists and galleries around the globe choosing to exhibit and sell works through Go Global Art, an art marketing organisation based in London but representing artists worldwide. www.goglobalart.com
