Marija Nikolic

Artist Statement:

I am a visual artist whose current visual expression is deeply rooted in the aesthetic thought of abstract minimalism and postminimalism. I create artworks on paper and canvas by exploring the possibilities of a framed and clear geometric form.
My work revolves around the exploration of color harmony, values, shapes, and perfect proportions. The starting point is a minimalistic approach and reexamination of the form of painting in an effort to reach aesthetic harmony. Line as a clash of two surfaces is the base building element and as such is present on the majority of artworks. My works are distinguished by geometrization, simplification, and reduction of everything unnecessary. By focusing on a single point of light and by building the painting around it, I'm exploring the descriptive boundaries of a coloured surface. The technical approach is very traditional- oil and acrylic on canvas, gilding, and watercolors.

Education:

2015 - Master's degree in Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Belgrade, Serbia
2013 - Bachelor's degree in Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Belgrade, Serbia
2008 - Tehnoart Beograd, jewel crafting department

Exhibitions:

Solo shows:
2021 - Pancevo Culture Center in Pancevo: 00:00
2020 - Prodajna galerija Beograd in Belgrade: Back to Black
2020 - Gallery Atrijum, Belgrade City Library: Horizons
2019 - Art Space Kvaka 22 in Belgrade: The Golden Ratio
2015 – Memorial Gallery Dušan Starcevic in Smederevska Palanka: Money and Decay

Group exhibitions (selection):
2021 - Gallery ZContemporary, Hamburg, Germany via Artsy, Widewalls, and Kustmatrix: Black X White
2020 - Gallery A, Belgrade: 6th International Watercolor Biennial
2020 - ULUS - Art Pavilion Cvijeta Zuzoric, Belgrade: Spring Show
2019 - Gallery Štab in Belgrade: International watercolor exhibition FabrianoInAcquarello 19/20
2019 - National Bank of Serbia in Belgrade, Association of Serbian Architects ASA: Art – today
2019 - Festival Dev9t in Belgrade: Alchemy
2015 - Belgrade Youth Center: 44th exhibit of small format drawing and sculpture – Faculty of Fine Arts students
2015 - Belgrade Student Culture Center: FESTUM – Belgrade Art University student exhibition
2011 - Gallery Trag in Belgrade: International miniature exhibition
2011 - Gallery 73 in Belgrade: Group exhibit of paintings, Art colony Ada 11

Events:
2019 - Neocolonia ADA Belgrade - FabrianoInAcquarello 19/20
2016 - Residence / Fine Arts Colony at the Festival Oslobadjanje (Liberation) - Culture Center Perilo, Obrenovac
2013 - Painting of mural honoring 65 years of founding the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, Bulevar umetnosti 20, Belgrade
2010 / 2011 / 2012 - Art Colony and charity auction in the organization of Rotary Club Cukarica

Publications:
- Atlas of Fine Artists II, Slobodan Maldini, Sofia Lancoš Maldini, ASA, December 2019
- A Fine Art Catalogue APÉRO - Depth, August 2019

Membership:
2020 - Member of the Association of Fine Artists of Serbia (ULUS)
2019 - Member of the Association of Serbian Architects (ASA)

Professional/Teaching Experience:

2020 - Art Teacher at the School of Design in Belgrade, Serbia
2019 - Art History Teacher at the School of Design in Belgrade, Serbia
2016 - Interior Decorator at the Kindergarten Happy Kids in Belgrade, Serbia
2016 - Art Teacher at the Kindergarten Happy Kids in Belgrade, Serbia

Artistic Influences:

The influence of Mondrian, Malevich, Rothko, and Klee is visible but their legacy is not being idealized, rather it is a starting point for unique and individual expression of mine.