Artistic Sevdah in Bijelo Polje
The exhibition of paintings and graphics titled “Artistic Dialogues of Female Artists – Sevdah” opened on March 31 at the gallery of the Center for Culture in Bijelo Polje, and visitors can view it until April 11.
This unique exhibition, part of the Days of Bosniak Culture in Montenegro, brought together fifteen artists who used various techniques to convey authentic artistic expressions. Participating artists include Sabaheta Masličić, Adela Kulenović Nurković, Seida Belegović, Nela Nuhanović, Adela Zejnilović, Jasmina Lucević, Seida Škrijelj, Elzana Nurković, Arabela Škrijelj, Amina Ademagić, Sejla Kerović, Nejla Međedović, Alma Rastoder, Azra Dedeić, and Jasna Kalač.
“Sevdah is an inseparable part of the national identity of Bosniaks in this region, and not just Bosniaks. It is a tradition shaped over generations,” said historian Edin Smailović during the opening, adding that women, as the more emotional part of humanity, have infused these artworks with deeper emotions than usual. “After all, what is Sevdah if not pure emotion? As Damir Imamović sings in a song beautifully performed by Amira Medunjanin, ‘We’ll sing what our hearts know.’ I’d paraphrase that to say, ‘We’ll paint what our hearts know.’ Because Sevdah is exactly that in all its forms—purely a matter of the heart. Both beautiful and painful. In this case, fortunately for us, only beautiful,” Smailović concluded.
This exhibition, “Artistic Dialogues of Female Artists – Sevdah,” is the first of its kind in Montenegro. Its goal is to promote universal artistic values and highlight the work of Bosniak women artists, said Mr. Aldemar Ibrahimović during the opening.
“The exhibition is characterized by diverse approaches to stylistic expressions, ranging from expressionism, concrete realism, surrealism, comic art, design, abstraction, and everything contemporary art trends have to offer. This significant artistic event showcases the creations of artists from different generations, levels of artistic or other education, but all deeply sincere and devoted to the challenges and joys of artistic expression,” Ibrahimović emphasized.
He expressed hope that the exhibition would allow visitors to discover the richness of artistic poetics and the stylistic diversity of authentic artistic expressions, which contribute significantly to the broader understanding of Montenegro’s contemporary artistic mosaic.
“With this exhibition, we aim to highlight the importance of each artist individually, to encourage and support them to continue and walk even bolder paths of artistic creation. These paths affirm them as individuals, the communities they come from, and the unique pulse of the national spirit,” Ibrahimović added.
He also thanked everyone who contributed to the realization of this exhibition, especially the Center for Culture.
This artistic celebration was enriched by a musical performance from Šejla Dautović, a student at the Music School in Rožaje. The exhibition was organized by the Bosniak Council in Montenegro and the NGO “Bijeli Ljiljan,” with the project supported by the Fund for the Protection and Realization of Minority Rights.
After Bara and Bijelo Polje, the exhibition “Artistic Dialogues of Female Artists – Sevdah” will be presented in Pljevlja and other cities.
