Your works are monumental, heavy, and demanding in terms of production. What attracts and challenges you to undertake such technically demanding works?
– The war in Yugoslavia greatly influenced my attitude toward art and the value of objects. My family has no material memories from the Yugoslav era because everything was lost during the war in Sarajevo. I grew up without those markers that define identity and origin. I was driven by ambition towards craftsmanship and mastery, even though I am a woman. The monumentality and weight allow my works to be, in a way, in touch with something indestructible.
What are your most common themes?
– My works explore what ‘borders’ mean, whether geographical, religious, cultural, political, or ethnic. The concept of ‘transgression’ is being questioned today in this time of destruction and impossible peace. Humanity has evolved for thousands of years through conflict and neighborly hatred. Through art, I investigate the place of politics, social, and cultural values. Can art create new spaces for sharing despite our differences?
You travel between Belgrade and Paris, your cities. Where do you feel at home?
– These two cities have always been close to my heart. For now, I work in both Paris and Belgrade, but the world is vast, who knows what tomorrow holds?
I find the most freedom in a suitcase, where I don’t have to put down roots anywhere.