Montenegrin graphic artist Jelena Jovančov is participating in the international art exhibition entitled "MASK-ART Creativity under lockdown - UNESCO & MEADOWS artists against COVID 19" which is organized in cooperation with the UNESCO office in Beirut by the non-governmental organization "MEADOWS" - Mediterranean Endeavors Advancing Development Of Widespread Sustainability ( Mediterranean efforts to advance the development of widespread sustainability).
The aim of the exhibition is to support the fight against the corona virus pandemic, but with an artistic approach, where the image of a medical mask will be transformed into a canvas for artists, the organizers explained.
"The idea is to use visual art as a powerful tool to influence relevant global issues through intercultural dialogue," they say. Jovančov participated with a work called "Heart Mirror 1", that is, an art book from 2014, and it was this work that served as her idea for creating a mask. Her work was chosen by the selection committee. The curators of the exhibition are Lena Kelekian, Francesca Maurizi and Hagop Sulahian. 250 artists from 120 countries participate in the exhibition
"Due to the current circumstances, the project is realized virtually in the form of an e-exhibition and all works of art will be published on the UNESCO website, as well as on social platforms. Through the current exhibition, the organizers mark the World Day of Cultural Diversity for dialogue and development. The organizers hope that in the future they will be able to realize a real exhibition of works based on the material from this virtual exhibition. The exhibition is available on the UNESCO link: https://en.unesco.org/news/mask-art-creativity-under-lockdown-unesco-beirut-meadows-artists-against-covid-19", Jovančov points out.
The concept of the exhibition was initiated by Lena Kelekian, founder and president of MEADOWS. The idea was transformed into a full-fledged project within the prestigious program "UNESCO resiliart debate - Artists and Creativity beyond Crisis".
"This event also aims to improve awareness of social responsibility by encouraging people to wear masks, not as an obligation, but out of the belief that it is one of the best measures to protect both from the risk of infection. Also, to provide support to doctors and medical workers on the front line - to face this health, economic and social crisis", Kelekian pointed out. In addition to this, Jelena Jovančov also participates in the international exhibition as part of the Geumgang Nature Art Biennial 2020, organized by the South Korean art association "Nature Art". The biennial is a global project of Korean and international nature artists, and the forms and contents of the biennial are becoming more and more significant over time.
The exhibition called "Nature Art Cube 12x12x12+Nature" which is designed so that artists express their ideas about nature and realize messages within a fixed cube of width, length and height of 12 cm. The name of her project is "Golden Reed", and it is made of natural materials, mainly reeds, but also leaves, dandelions and apricot trees. Jovančov used yellow organic pigment as a symbol of heaven and the sublime. And the combination of the natural elements of the plant with the golden yellow color gives longevity and stability/constancy.
"Environmental pollution, environmental disturbances, climate change and global warming are universal issues that all people in the world should face and find solutions to." In addition, the rapid development of digital culture makes people more isolated and alienated from each other. In this context, the exhibition '12x12x12+Nature', which displays the unique concepts, materials, expressive methods and visual messages of the artists participating in the exhibition, will be an opportunity to remind the meaning of 'nature'. That is, how easily we enjoy it, but at the same time we easily forget its value", says Jovančov for "Vijesti". The biennial was supposed to be held from March 28 to July 19, but due to the situation with the covid-19 pandemic, the opening was held on June 2, and the program of this biennial now lasts until August 9.
Winner of more than 15 awards and recognitions
Jelena Jovančov was born in 1982 in Podgorica. She graduated from the graphic arts study program at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cetinje, where she received her master's degree in 2010.
She was a scholarship holder of the Government of Montenegro - Ministry of Education and Science, a scholarship holder of the Municipality of Bar, as well as a scholarship holder of the PASCA College of Contemporary Art. In 2008, she studied in France at the Pont-Aven School of Contemporary Art. He has been actively exhibiting since 2009. She is the author of 24 solo exhibitions and has participated in over 270 mostly selected international group exhibitions in more than 40 countries. She represented Montenegro three times at the Biennale of Art in Beijing (BIAB) in 2012, 2015 and 2019. She is the winner of 15 awards and more recognitions for her artistic work. Her prints are in more than 60 public collections, including over thirty museum collections around the world. Her works and author's texts have been published in more than 180 printed catalogs. He has the status of an independent artist since 2017
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