Although he claims that red roses do not bloom for art in Montenegro, but rather purple irises sway sadly, the eminent Montenegrin artist, architect, painter and publicist Slobodan Bobo Slovinić - Liberto is one of those thanks to whom the art scene is alive, dynamic, competitive, full of energy and creative stimulus, which is also proven by his new solo exhibition, which he announced in an interview with "Vijesti".
The exhibition "Artistic Miniatures" by Slobodan Slovinić, on the occasion of the Independence Day of Montenegro, will be opened today, May 20th in Podgorica, at 19 pm, in the "Most" gallery, whose founder and owner is Branko Kovačević, another one of those people who, through her engagement, has made a significant contribution to the Montenegrin art scene, but also to the overall cultural and social scene. The exhibition is organized by the “Most” Gallery and the “Bijeli Pavle” Cultural and Information Center from Danilovgrad.
Slovinić believes that the fate and position of art, artists, galleries, gallerists and people who live (for) art are a reflection of the times, values, society and state, and that picture in Montenegro is neither good nor optimistic.
"The fate of the first private Gallery 'Most' is similar to the fate of numerous other galleries in our country. Who needs galleries today and what are they for? Who is interested in art? Has anyone in the Government or the Parliament in recent years mentioned the terms: art, artist, gallery? I qualified that problem a long time ago, and I repeat it now: art is a decoration on the lapel of the powerful when they go on a spree in an Audi," says Slovinić.
In the "Most" gallery, he presents his latest works, miniatures created in 2025, in oil on cardboard. More about the exhibition itself, creativity, inspiration, Montenegro, but also the relationship with "Most" and towards it, Slobodan Slovinić reveals in an interview for "Vijesti". In addition, he announces the last part of his literary trilogy "Herbarium", which will soon find its way to readers, and in which he brings the story of his own life...
You are one of the 18 artists who were represented in the exhibition at the opening of the “Most” gallery several decades ago. How do you perceive today's exhibition and does it have a deeper meaning for you, but also for the Gallery itself?
I have lived and followed the respected “Most” Gallery for decades, both as one of the original exhibitors, then as an art critic, as a visitor and as a welcome friend. When the owner, the respected Branko Kovačević suggested that he prepare an explanation of my miniatures, I wholeheartedly accepted the proposal. I no longer remember which of my independent presentations was in order, certainly over fifty. I hope it does both parties an honor.
What will the audience be able to see on this occasion?
In my first private gallery, the "Most" Gallery in Podgorica, on May 20th at 19 pm, I will present to the public about forty fine art miniatures, created using the oil technique on cardboard, realized in 2025.
Given that you are presenting smaller formats in the exhibition, how much more challenging are they to work with and how is such a painting created?
For decades, I have substituted numerous works, medium - gallery and large format, with oil technique on prepared canvas or cardboard. While working with oil on larger formats, it sometimes happens that I correct certain areas in the painting, remove chromatic layers with a spatula and most often this mixed color mass, I put it on small format cardboard, which is always next to my easel. They dry over time, I occasionally supplement them, small formats multiply and collect with me. In the later process, I approach them with much more attention and revive them, breathe life juices into them. I paint over, paint, expel the atmosphere, small ones disappear, and large paintings are born. That's exactly what happened this year, I revived several fine art miniatures and united them.
The exhibition in the “Most” gallery has already been realized, and the motif that connects all the works is nature, landscape. How much do you still find inspiration in the Montenegrin environment, the karst, the sea, the horizon, your Budva and the island of Sveti Nikola, which you have emphasized many times?
I would like to emphasize, although I believe that older readers remember, that my artistic beginnings, my initial paintings, were precisely thematically and pictorially connected to the views of old coastal agglomerations, to Budva, Školj, Petrovac, Katiče, to the sea, pontes, grottos and skerries. Later I dealt with the human figure - Le Corps. However, I must state that both themes belong to the figural sphere, as the French understand and interpret it. Figural is everything that includes the human and animal figure, and everything that is visible and concrete, landscape, still life...
The colors, motifs, and names create a specific story and atmosphere that spreads through “The Bridge”. Each work has a name that hints at the story that seems to be hidden behind the image. What would that most often be? And what is it that you want to express through the cardboard this time, and what do you want to convey to visitors?
I insist that the painting acquire its true character and authentic atmosphere, when it is born, when it comes into the world, I baptize it - I name it as a living being. Because then it begins to live and to continue its artistic destiny. In my understanding, the name of the painting is in its own function, to provide it with multi-meaning, enigma and mystery. These miniatures of mine are de facto reflections, portraits of the Mediterranean - Montenegrin appearance, mountains, coastline and sea. I give visitors segments of my native and most beautiful country in the world.
The “Most” Gallery is, as you yourself said, the first private and oldest of its kind in Montenegro. Given your experience, how do you assess its position today, but also the situation regarding private galleries, gallerists and collectors in our country?
I am afraid that I will express my extremely pessimistic view. Today, all over the world, and especially in our country, red roses do not bloom for Art, but purple irises sway sadly. The fate of the first private Gallery “Most” is similar to the fate of numerous other galleries in our country. Who needs galleries today and what are they for? Who is interested in art? Has anyone in the government or parliament in recent years mentioned the terms: art, artist, gallery. I qualified this problem a long time ago: Art is a decoration on the lapel of the powerful when they go on a spree in an Audi.
How do you generally see the contemporary Montenegrin art scene?
Art is struggling sadly here, trying to get air, the patient needs oxygen, artificial respiration. I think art is sadly languishing, self-sufficient. Which of our daily newspapers has a permanent “Culture” column, on four pages? Perhaps the situation is somewhat better in electronic editions? Which of our publications has a full-time art historian - art critic? Has a permanent specialized art magazine been published here for a long time? Sad and sad.
The last book in the “Herbarium” trilogy will soon be released. The third novel, “Pitore Liberto”, tells the story of you. What can the audience expect, when and how would you describe the process behind you?
It is a great truth that not all evil is for evil, and I must state that such a situation happened in my case. I am spending my ninth decade and I move with the help of my best friend - a cane. I overcome longer distances with the help of my little one, the lively Smart. I am primarily tied to my desk and computer. In the last few years, I have managed to write and publish three novels, two illustrated travel brochures, and I am currently working on a collection of stories "Life and the Sea" (33 short stories - 33 miniatures). I continue my art, create, exhibit and will not stop until the last hour. And of course, I constantly ask myself what all this is for, to whom and why? I console myself every day and survive - with my ancestors & my descendants.
You are a tireless creator, which you confirm time and again. What does art bring to you, is it a pressing need, an urge, a desire, inspiration or something else?
I chose art as my destiny a long time ago. I was born under the zodiac sign of Aries. I am tireless, stubborn, persistent, persistent, open and fair. Head over heels! Doing art has brought me a lot of joy and a lot of sadness. I was accompanied by enormous amounts of emotions, I drew everything from my soul, often received it with my soul. It shook me strongly. I experience immense pleasure in the very act of creation, whether at the easel or at the computer. I am often in both positions, while creating, I get lost in the disgusting present. I start sailing the shores of dreamcatcher and fiction. Then I have a hard time returning to conflicts, wars, protests, demonstrations, arrests, labeling, tweeting, blundering and perjury.
You answer the call of art through different forms... What are you currently working on?
I have already partially answered that question. I would add, however, that I have been involved in art criticism for a long time, it was a short, condensed and condensed form. I had become completely accustomed to communicating everything condensedly in two and a half lines. When I switched to the long form of the novel, I had to behave completely differently. Create a global scheme, determine the basic route, note the branches, tributaries, fix the main characters and the side, secondary ones. It was a real project that was difficult to see in continuity. Now, when I am again dealing with the short form, the stories, it seems to me that it is a somewhat easier form, it is easier to see in its entirety.
Finding the right amount of exposure for readers
Is the book "Pitore Liberto" autobiographical and how does Liberto round out the story of "Don Đura" and "Šjor Anta"?
The trilogy "Herbarium" is dedicated to a respectable old coastal family, whose ancient ancestors from Dalmatia, from the island of Hvar from the small town of Postira, sailed their gaeta, dropped anchor and set sail in the harbor of ancient Butoa. Several generations were born in Budva, my grandfather Niko, my uncle Don Đuro, my father šjor Ante and my little one - Pitore Liberto. The last book - a novel - is autobiographical in nature, but I have indicated biographical information globally, because they have been published many times and are more or less known on the occasion of my exhibitions. I have gone through a pregnant life odyssey in time. It was difficult to decide whether to expose myself completely in front of readers. I think I have found the right measure. After all, my entire life has been honorable, I have nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. So whoever wants to, let him read, or let him not follow! I think the novel will be easy to absorb.
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