UPDATE: The highly anticipated photography exhibition “Afterlight” has just opened at the Gallery of the Culture Center in Cetinje, showcasing the work of artist and designer Barbara Bjeliš. This marks her first solo presentation to the Cetinje audience, featuring an intimate and visually rich photographic series that explores themes of belonging, transience, and the intersection of the body and landscape.
“Afterlight” is the culmination of a long-term photographic cycle that Bjeliš developed through experimenting with multiple exposures on a small analog camera. Relying on chance as a co-author, she delves into the feeling of existence across various spaces and times. The exhibition presents a powerful dialogue between intimate moments and the vastness of nature, particularly illustrated through the landscapes of Durmitor.
Bjeliš revealed that her arrival in Cetinje was entirely unplanned but pivotal for the realization of this project. “I found myself in Cetinje by a stroke of fate. We were traveling through Montenegro and stumbled upon this gallery, which immediately captivated me. After our conversation, I was offered the chance to host my exhibition here, which I gladly accepted,” she stated.
The photographs displayed span various periods, with some nearly a decade old and others taken this year in Durmitor, adding a rich layer of personal and temporal depth to the project.
Bjeliš, a designer and artist from Zagreb, holds a master’s degree in visual communications from the Design School. In 2018, she founded Studio Kanu, and her works have been exhibited in numerous shows both domestically and internationally. She has also received accolades, including the award for Best Film Poster at the SEECS Festival in Istanbul. Currently, she resides and works in Oslo.
The “Afterlight” exhibition is open to the public at the Gallery of the Culture Center in Cetinje until January 14, 2024. This unique opportunity to experience Bjeliš’s evocative work is not to be missed.
As the exhibition unfolds, art enthusiasts and the public are encouraged to visit and engage with the profound narratives woven into her photography, making it a must-see event this winter in Montenegro.
