Forgotten Idols I

'Forgotten Idols I,' by Katarina Dordevic, Acrylic on Canvas Painting

This 32.5" x 46" acrylic on canvas painting by Katarina Dordevic explores connection and interaction between the unrevealed mysteries of magical, divine or supernatural rites of the past and the subliminal messages of the contemporary abstract visual forms and concepts. The meaning of that bonding is based on a juxtaposition of old and new, intimate and explicit, inner and outer space, contrast and harmony. New forms of visual expression in the context of contemporary art can be created by research of a myth, rituals, cults and sacraments, examination and exploitation of symbols derived from anthropomorphic shapes of demons, male and female deities. Transformation of the existing artifacts and mythological substances through the art research process into the basic forms, makes displaying of message from the creator to the observer possible. These non-mimetic forms can be composed and embedded into new abstract composition. Movements and flows of all forms and shapes are closed within the geometrically structured background of this painting. The metaphysical circling of the rudimentary shaped idols on the central part of the “Forgotten Idols I” is not burdened with specific meaning; it is open for individual interpretations.

Katarina Dordevic is a painter, printmaker and full time professor for painting, born in Nis, Serbia, where she currently lives. She graduated and post graduated from the University of Arts in Belgrade (MFA in Painting, 1994) and is currently undertaking a Fine Arts Doctorate at the same university. Katarina has an academic career spanning more than 18 years at the University of Nis in Serbia and she has been artist-in-residence and guest lecturer in Fine arts at the Fundación Valparaiso in Spain, the 33officinacreativa Foundation in Italy, the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen in UK, the University of Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria and the Akdeniz University in Turkey.
Her works has been exhibited in a number of solo and group exhibitions throughout Europe and Asia and her paintings, drawings and printmaking are included into public and private collections. She has received various awards for the artistic achievements in Serbia, Canada and Czech Republic.
Katarina’s creative practice takes the form of paintings, drawings, printmaking and objects. The experience gathered during numerous travelling to various countries and places has been huge source of inspiration for her artwork, which pointed out some similarities between cultures, traditions, people, faiths, and differences, as well. Nature phenomena, reflection of light, atmosphere of local places and patina with which the archaeological remnants are covered influenced her art, therefore vibrant, rich textures outspread compositions of her paintings. She constructs intimate, private and personal interior from the elements of the world heritage and myth narratives and puts it in the contemporary context, emphasizing its universal symbolic potential.