Worship of the Moon

'Worship of the Moon' by Katrina Dordevic, Acrylic on Canvas Painting

This 38" x 26.25" acrylic on canvas painting by artist Katarina Dordevic refers to the transformation of the form and visual integrity, the conversion of samples displaced from the authentic temporal and spatial frames. The objects in the painting cannot be directly linked to the content of the literary origin or motif. These segments are quotes of descriptive elements from prehistoric votive sculptures of idols (the Paleolithic culture from Lepenski vir, the oldest urban settlement in Europe, situated at the banks of the Danube river, around 8,5 millennia old). They were shaped as unique anthropomorphic entities that represented presumably river deities. The meanings that were given to these symbolical sculptures changed over time, but the strange expression of the stone idols – water spirits remained unblemished. This leads us to question the influence that these prehistoric archaeological findings have on rites and beliefs of the contemporary society. Inspired by the metaphysical context of water and prehistoric artefacts this piece explores the psychology of inner and outer space. Artwork background of “Worship of the Moon” is flat, simplified and blended, framed with ornamental pattern, therefore the entire painting retains stable character. Metaphorical appearance of the fish, the circle - Moon and the fishlike face on the axis of the composition points out flow of time and memory.

Representation of fish in art was undergoing big transformation over the times, from its sacred meaning and symbolism to the more utilitarian interpretation, and thus metaphorical appearance of the fish, the circle - Moon and the face silhouette on the axis of the painting point out flow of time and memory. The appearance of a shiny traces of moonlight on the water and discoloration of object contours on the central part of the composition were inspired by the Paleolithic culture in Lepenski vir, the oldest urban settlement in Europe, situated at the banks of the Danube river, around 8,5 millennia old.

This work has been featured in exhibitions in Serbia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Turkey, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Iran.

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.