Horizons ruled by longing and nostalgia

The exhibition "Horizons" by the academic painter Goran Ćetković will be opened today at 19 pm in Kolašin, in the Native Museum, where the artist will premiere the latest cycle of paintings whose central motif is nature - Montenegrin karst, sea, mountains, sky...

This cycle consists of about 50 oils and acrylics on canvas that were created during the previous two years, and 40 works will be exhibited in Kolašin. In addition to the fact that it is a new series of works, the artist also deviated from what, until now, made him particularly recognizable, that is, the painting of heads and human states, which he also depicted in the very successful and notable cycle "The Tooth of Time".

"My preoccupation, since my academic days, is figurative painting. Heads are my trademark and a symbol of my art. Thanks to them, I became recognizable, not only in Montenegro, but also in the region and beyond. That topic brought me significant recognition. However, at one point I realized that this motif in the cycle of paintings 'The Tooth of Time' had reached its peak, and that the question arose - where to now? In addition, I felt a kind of satiety. And for every serious author, including me, it is very important not to repeat oneself in one's work. Changing the theme is certainly a kind of evolution and progress in my work, which is best evidenced by my latest paintings, which are already causing positive reviews from the audience and art critics... Which does not mean that after a certain time I will not return to the old theme", says Ćetković in interview for "Vijesti".

However, despite the fact that the Montenegrin painter chose a different theme, his paintings are connected to each other and to previous works, evoking the alienation of modern man, says the author in an interview with "Vijesti" and points out that with this cycle he also discovered new "horizons" of his art.

"The cycle of paintings 'Horizons' fully corresponds with the previous cycles regardless of the change of theme. The most common motifs are the remains of old settlements, ruined architecture, water and sky, homeland motifs, as well as places where people no longer live. All this symbolically speaks of the transience of time and life, as well as the alienation of modern man... And the painted horizons are dominated by the sound of longing and nostalgia. All the pictures were created as a product of visual observation of the outside world, but they also carry with them a strong emotion - what is hidden inside the person himself, and this is evidenced by the individual names of the pictures, such as: 'Silence', 'Sudden', 'Ruin', 'Homeland' ', 'Transience'... On the other hand, certain landscapes are dominated by brighter feelings. They were achieved by the harmony of warm and cold colors, the play of light and shadows. Here we distinguish between the paintings: 'Autumn', 'Harmony', 'Morning'... I believe more and more that with Horizons, I have opened up new vistas in my art...", concludes the artist.

Ćetković is very pleased to show the new works in his hometown because he has good feelings for Kolašin, and given the interest of the audience and the media, he expects a large number of visitors at the opening and during the duration of the exhibition, which will be available until February 21.

When asked by "Vijesti" what he is currently working on, and how his creative process goes and whether the colors and brushes control him or, on the other hand, he conducts, Ćetković says that he always relies on intuition and reveals what occupies him at the moment.

"The essence is in the work. Art is the path to pure spirituality and sublimity. If we are thinking about the material, then we are on the wrong path. I rely on intuition in my work. So lately I've been painting watercolors where nudes are the main subject. As in the previous cycles, expressive form dominates with pronounced gesturality along with strong fantasy, and everything is on the border of abstraction. A famous art critic said about me that I paint as if it were my last painting... I give everything to the painting and it always gives me back. I paint, therefore I exist...", emphasizes Ćetković.

The priority is continuity of work and presentation

During the previous year, Goran Ćetković presented himself several times in Montenegro and abroad with the show "The Tooth of Time", and he is actively participating in 2020. In an interview with "Vijesti", he points out that his priority is to continue this continuity of work and presentations, and he singles out and the exhibition that left a special impression on him.

"I exhibit continuously. From the previous year, I would like to single out my solo exhibition in Zagreb, as part of the Days of Montenegrin Culture event in Croatia, organized by the National Community of Montenegrins of Croatia and with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro. The installation from the series 'The Tooth of Time', in one of the most beautiful galleries in Zagreb, was fantastic. The opening was attended by a large number of visitors, fellow painters, sculptors, curators, and art critics. The reaction of Croatian art critics, colleagues and the audience is great. The exhibition was opened by the well-known Croatian art historian Iva Korbler, whose text accompanied the exhibition catalog along with the texts of our art historian Ljiljana Zeković and the well-known Belgrade art critic Dejan Đorić. At the exhibition, I also met other art critics who are already writing new essays on my painting. The exhibition was very well covered by the media, and I would like to single out my interview for 'Večernji list' in particular. As for 2020, some individual and group exhibitions are planned, as well as participation in art salons", he announces.