Artist Tanja Đikanović Unveils Vibrant Exhibition “Pjaca”

A vibrant new exhibition titled “Pjaca” by artist Tanja Đikanović opened on November 1, 2023, at the Kulturno-informativni centar “Budo Tomović” in Montenegro. This marks Đikanović’s first solo exhibition, showcasing a series of works that blend personal expression with the everyday rhythms of life. The collection presents a colorful map of an intimate awakening, inviting viewers into a visual symphony that captures the essence of daily existence.

Đikanović, known for her roles as a translator, educator, interior designer, and restorer, steps into a new phase of her artistic journey with this exhibition. She describes her paintings as a spontaneous response to the emotional void left by the passing of her father. “It was an attempt to enter something new, to explore a new phase of life or to challenge myself,” she explained. The artist emphasized that the series emerged from a deep emotional need, filling the silence she struggled with after her loss.

Capturing Life’s Energy Through Art

The paintings in “Pjaca” do not merely depict a square; they breathe life into it. Each canvas aims to engage viewers, inviting them to immerse themselves in a world of color, rhythm, and energy where life and art converge. Đikanović likens the square, or “pjaca,” to one of the last truly authentic public spaces, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life as it shifts through the seasons.

She describes the square as a tapestry woven from the abundance of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, a vibrant marketplace that serves as an open theater where life unfolds daily. “It represents a microcosm of our lives: chaotic, colorful, fragrant, temporary yet constant, imperfect yet perfect,” Đikanović noted.

In the accompanying exhibition catalog, she compares her work to a state of being rather than merely a depiction of a scene. “Naming my ‘Pjaca’ a state is a touch of awakening something new,” she remarked. For Đikanović, painting is about experiencing a complete immersion in colors and emotions, transforming the canvas into a record of energy and dynamics.

A Personal Journey Translated into Visual Language

The exhibition captures the sounds, scents, and conversations of a Saturday morning, which Đikanović conveys through her intuitive visual language. “I do not translate specific voices into images but rather their visual equivalents, their rhythm, and the hurried breath,” she explained. Her canvases become expansive maps of everything she observes and hears around her.

Through her artwork, Đikanović hopes that viewers will feel the vibrant energy she has infused into her pieces. “In today’s world, which often feels virtual and distant, I want my paintings to bring joy and connection. I wish for viewers to feel as if they themselves have painted them,” she expressed.

Her diverse professional background informs her artistic process, as she sees her roles not as separate identities but as different facets of her expression. “Translation demands precision in word choice, pedagogy involves listening to children’s emotions, and interior design requires an understanding of space,” she explained. These elements come together in a tapestry of color and emotion, enriching her artistic voice.

The exhibition “Pjaca” will be open for public viewing until November 23, 2023, offering a unique opportunity to explore Đikanović’s vibrant reflections on life and art.