A space of silence, focus and the beauty of art

In a time that often imposes speed and superficiality, art remains a space for deeper reflection and encounter. It reminds us of the enduring need of man to create and to share his experience of the world through art.

This was emphasized by the manager of the galleries at the Public Institution Museums and Galleries Nikšić. Milosav Miso Milatovic, opening on Wednesday evening the exhibition “Nas 9” which shows precisely the need of man to create and share his experience, through art. The exhibition in the gallery of King Nikola's Palace in Nikšić displays the works of a nine-member group of distinguished visual artists who call themselves “Nas 9”.

"What makes this group of artists interesting is, above all, the meeting of different artistic poetics. Each of the authors, whose works we have the opportunity to see, develops their own artistic expression, but what connects them is the common need for creation and dialogue that opens art to the world," Milatović says at the beginning.

This was also confirmed by the academic painter. Jelena Vusurović who, on behalf of "the nine of them", addressed the large audience at the opening ceremony.

“Each of us carries our own unique handwriting, our own palette and our own inner world, which we transfer to the canvas. Although we are all different, we are united by the same, indescribable passion for creation and the need to interpret the world through art. Being part of this group for me is not only an artistic collaboration, but also a journey filled with mutual support and inspiration. Through our conversations, critiques and joint exhibitions, we have grown, not only as painters, but also as people. In a world that is often fast-paced and chaotic, we have managed to create our own space of silence, focus and beauty,” Vušurović emphasized.

The artistic group "Nas 9" consists of: Dalibor Dado Cetkovic, Angelina Djokovic Janjusevic, Branko Mrdak, Djordjije Vujicic, Mile Albijanic, Mirko Dragovic, Seida Belegovic, Selver Kardovic and Jelena Vušurović.

"The exhibition of the group 'Nas 9', through which we present ourselves to the Nikšić art audience, enables the presentation of our artistic achievements, creative inspiration and the continuity of our rich art tradition and dedication to creative work," said Seida Belegović, MA, who also signed the text of the upcoming exhibition catalog.

She added that everyone from the group "Nas 9" and members of the Association of Visual Artists of Montenegro (ULUCG) are active and established creators of different poetics, sensibilities and expressions, also reminding that everyone speaks the language of universal values ​​of love, peace and beauty through art.

Belegović also recalled how they came together, that is, how a nine-member team was formed that has already presented itself at several exhibitions.

"At the end of September 2025, 'Nose 9' painters were brought together by Dalibor Dado Ćetković, on the occasion of participating in the event Days of Culture of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, entitled 'Two Hearths, One Soul' and participating in an art colony. In Sarajevo, we were brought together by a strong creative energy - the energy of love for fine arts and the common need to express ourselves and the world around us through color, line and form. Since then, we have been connected not only by art, but also by the qualities we share: creativity, sincerity, empathy, understanding, communicativeness, openness to emotion, cooperation and positive energy... Everything that actually makes a person richer and more humane," she stated.

It was precisely in this space of exchange of ideas, Milatović pointed out, that their closeness in artistic thinking and creative energy were recognized, which later continued through joint exhibitions and projects, after that one, and actually only the first, meeting of artists and their energies, approaches, affinities, creations...

"Since then, they have presented their works at several exhibitions in the country and abroad, including an exhibition in India. The exhibition we see in Nikšić represents a combination of different artistic approaches and sensibilities. The exhibited works combine figurative and symbolic motifs, scenes of everyday life, as well as freer explorations of color, line, and form. It is precisely this diversity that makes the exhibition open to different interpretations and experiences, reminding us that art does not only offer answers, but also asks questions and initiates an internal dialogue between the observer and the work," Milatović emphasized.

Visitors to the exhibition have the opportunity to witness the strength, unity, but also the passion and energy of the group "Nas 9", which Vušurović says "does not lie in uniformity, but in the fact that nine different sensibilities manage to create a unique cultural event that offers the audience a broad view of contemporary painting".

"May our brushes continue to be light and our inspiration inexhaustible. May each of our next paintings be a step further in the exploration of who we are. Long live art," she said.

Individual tendencies and authenticity of nine artists

Introducing each of the artists individually, the catalogue lists their artistic tendencies.

"Jelena Vušurović represents the splendor of talent, overcoming mythical opinions and old prejudices, enriching artistic creativity with new challenges. According to her, she is a priori a strong Montenegrin woman, solid as a rock, and who, in the light of general civilizational values, represents the spiritual foundation of human survival in this region," the text emphasizes.

Dalibor Dado Ćetković, through his dedication to creative work and constant research, creates rich and layered compositions that constantly inspire the observer for a new and greater artistic experience and interest, the text says.

"Through her works, Angelina Đoković Janjušević unites nature and man, creating the unity of the basic cosmic principles of Yin and Yang, and the female figures from which the shoots of life branch out make the composition and images richer," the catalog emphasizes.

Branko Mrdak combines personal feeling and a serious creative process in his works, summarizing his work and adding that he does so by presenting a whole of compositional harmony and harmonious colors in which drawing dominates, leaving an eternal trace of moments that will never be repeated.

Djordje Vujicic combines abstraction, fantasy, and reality, often depicting people in various life situations, including extraordinary circumstances.

"Vujičić's creative energy is a perfectionism that has no return, except in portraits and figures where he masterfully expresses the subtlety of the psychological character of the characters," the text says.

Mile Albijanic, with his distinctive creative language, finds inspiration in everyday life, creating paintings rich in coloristic expression that convey a sense of liveliness and attract the viewer to always return to them...

"Through visual landscapes with a rich color palette in harmony with nature, Mirko Dragović focuses on the work that leads him to recognition in original creation. The play of color shapes makes the painting more meaningful and always different for a new and richer experience," the catalog states.

In her latest work, Seida Belegović uses an irregular triangle as a leitmotif, connecting various shapes in the composition of the painting, thus enhancing the symbolism and emotional experience.

"The geometrically irregular triangle in the paintings is represented through the play of forms, shapes, colors and lines, creating compositional harmony and dynamics of movement, and through the continuity of repetition, it allows the observer to understand the message more easily, powerfully and stronger," the text says.

Through his canvases, Selver Kardović preserves the memory of the patriarchal ethos of Montenegro, imbued with melancholy, mystical light and love of life, the catalogue states.

“Expressing the impulse of his refined, sensitive inner being, Selver attaches importance to every detail, achieving different tonal relationships and nuances in the coloristic values ​​of the painting,” the text states.

Fans and admirers of fine arts had the opportunity to witness all of the above at their numerous collective and solo exhibitions throughout Montenegro and the world.