Painting has the power to lead us into unknown worlds and to discover completely new paths, says academic painter Goran Ćetković in an interview with "Vijesti", which he also proves with a personal example. His latest cycle of works was presented this November to a diverse global audience in the center of art, fashion, and sports, in Milan.
Ćetković's exhibition of new works, united under the title "Tree of Life", attracted special public attention at the Milanese gallery "Miart", which he owns. Antonio Minijaci (Miniaci) was most impressed by the Montenegrin artist. He did not hide this at the opening of the exhibition, emphasizing that he collaborates with various artists from all over the world, but that Goran Ćetković in particular left him breathless with his creativity.
"Goran comes from a beautiful country, Montenegro. We met by chance, and when I saw his works and everything he does, I just thought 'Oh my God!'... I also understood the cultural message in his work and concluded that he is an excellent artist," said the owner of the gallery in the artistic district of Brera.
At the opening itself, while addressing those present, he said: "Mamma mia, che pittore", or "Mother dear, what a painter"...
Ćetković presented to a large audience a new cycle of works in which he primarily deals with the issue of man, but in which the central motif is women - as a symbol of birth, fertility, beauty - spiritual and physical, but also inner human drama and tragedy...
In an interview with "Vijesti", Ćetković evokes impressions from the exhibition in Milan, reminds that he was also featured in the magazine "Mondo Arte", on about twenty pages, through texts about his work, reproductions of works, an interview... He reveals what makes the new cycle specific and is already announcing a new solo exhibition - in Slovakia.
With the exhibition "Tree of Life", you premiered in Milan, a city that is the cradle of the Renaissance, but also of art, fashion, and even sports... What was the experience like for you and what are your impressions?
This is my 47th solo exhibition. The “Tree of Life” series premiered to an Italian audience on November 14, when the exhibition opened. It was an unforgettable experience. The opening was attended by a large number of people from all over the world, and I was especially pleased that about a dozen people from Podgorica also showed up at the exhibition. When it comes to my creativity, this exhibition is a big step forward.
How did the collaboration with the “Miart” gallery and its owner come about? Did their context influence you, your choice of works or your approach to the exhibition?
I met the owner of the gallery this summer, when I was visiting Milan on a tourist trip. When Miniacci got a glimpse of my work, he couldn't hide his delight. He immediately introduced me to his project related to the magazine "Mondoarte". It is a magazine that promotes the world's art scene. After a certain amount of time, a contract was signed between me and the gallery. That contract specified my promotion in the prestigious magazine and a solo exhibition in the gallery "Miart". As for the exhibition itself, it was created based on my idea and personal desire to present myself as part of this project with the cycle "Tree of Life". At the opening of the exhibition, the magazine "Mondoarte" was also promoted for the first time, in which my work is presented on a large number of pages. That promotion consisted of an interview that the editorial staff conducted with me, a large number of reproductions of my paintings, as well as texts by art critics and art theorists.
What was the interaction like with the Milanese audience and the local artistic heritage? Did anything in particular interest them?
I have already said that a large number of art lovers visited and toured the exhibition. What particularly touched them was the fact that my painting leaves no one indifferent. They especially liked the play of colors and strokes, light and shadow, which gives each observer the opportunity to discover certain messages and meanings for themselves. This dynamic painting form literally forces each observer to analyze it, study it and always discover something new and different. That is invaluable and of enormous importance for my painting, but also for the audience itself.
You dedicated the exhibition to Petar II Petrović Njegoš. How is Njegoš's thought specifically incorporated into the motifs and narrative of this cycle?
We painters are also philosophers in a way. Some of Njegoš's thoughts can be recognized in my work. Our famous art critic Ljiljana Zeković wrote an extensive essay about my art. Analyzing my painting, she addressed the same text with Njegoš's thoughts: "The secret of the people, man is the highest." Through this thought, it can be concluded that my search in painting is dedicated primarily to man, and that through this eternal theme I deal with existential questions, questions of life and death, as well as the survival of man as a spiritual being.
However, here are some of your prominent and well-known motifs. How much of a woman is a symbol and inspiration for you, and how much is the individual story in these paintings?
The central motif in the cycle of paintings "Tree of Life" is a woman. Woman has always been an eternal theme and inspiration for artists, both now and throughout the history of art. She is presented in all her physical and spiritual beauty in my paintings.
Pregnant women are a recurring motif. What do they symbolize in this edition of yours? Are you trying to strike a balance between the classic depiction of the nude and a contemporary reading of the female experience?
I have always loved classical beauty. Especially at the beginning of the art academy. However, later my expression became more modern and thanks to that I gained originality in painting. In the paintings from the “Tree of Life” cycle, a woman is represented as Venus - the goddess of fertility. She is a symbol of birth and the creation of life.
Light and darkness often meet on your canvases again. How important is this dialogue in your artistic language to you?
This artistic element is of great importance to my painting. The tonal nuances of characters and figures are crucial for creating form and dramatic relationships in the painting. Thanks to this contrast, the painting gains expressiveness and dynamics. Light and darkness are symbols of certain categories from life, good and evil, life and death...
Is there a particular work in the cycle that you consider key to understanding the entire series, would you single out any in particular and why?
I could select several works from the “Tree of Life” cycle, but if I had to single out one canvas, it would be the painting “Venus”. “Venus” is a representative example of this cycle and is the embodiment of female beauty. The woman in this painting is presented in all her beauty, both physical and spiritual.
What do you want the visitor to feel and what thought to take with them after leaving the gallery, and how much do you care about the audience this time, compared to previous exhibitions?
My paintings leave no one indifferent. This was also the case at the opening of the “Tree of Life” exhibition in Milan. What made me especially happy was that a large number of people attended the opening. In addition to the residents of Milan, the exhibition was visited by a large number of people from all over the world, as well as from Montenegro. The audience did not hide their enthusiasm for the paintings, and I returned from Milan with beautiful impressions and a full heart.
Are there any accompanying programs organized during the exhibition?
Along with the opening of the painting exhibition, there was also the premiere, or rather the promotion, of the magazine “Mondoarte”. The entire editorial staff of this prestigious magazine was present at the exhibition. Suffice it to say that some members of that team are connected to the Pinacoteca in Brera - Milan by their work. The exhibition “Tree of Life” was opened by Antonio Miniacci, who is also the director of the magazine “Mondoarte” and the owner of the Miart gallery.
Does and in what way does “Tree of Life” correspond to your previous cycles? The center is once again on man, but what has changed?
The cycle “Tree of Life” fully corresponds to the previous cycles. However, what is new in this series of paintings is that for the first time a woman is the central motif. She dominates every canvas, her lush figure an ode to love and life, birth and creation, but some of these paintings also point to the tragic. It is a universal story about life and death, and that is what has characterized my work since my academic days.
After Milan, what are your next plans, whether for further promotion of this cycle, abroad or here, or for painting in general?
After the exhibition in Milan, preparations for the 48th solo exhibition in Slovakia will follow. That exhibition has been planned for a long time and everything has already been specified for the realization of that project. It is a serious story where I will present myself with works from several cycles. As for painting, continuity is something that is of particular importance for every serious author, so new material is in preparation. Through work, many possibilities open up, both in the studio and in all other fields. Painting has the power to lead us into some unknown worlds and to discover some completely new paths.
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