A Plain with the Spirit of Exotic Islands
We talked about the similarities between tourism in Vojvodina and the Spanish and Asian islands with the painter IsidoraBogdanovićČoban: "The farms have a lot of potential, they resemble Majorcan finks, they serve good food from the menu of local cuisine. Brandy, wine, ham… We all know that tourists love to eat well. ”
You have lived in Asia and spend a lot of time in Spain. Where do you like to travel the most and are there any similarities in terms of tourist experience between those destinations and Vojvodina?
Yes, in 2006 we had Sonja, our first child. Then we decided to change the continent and we went to Thailand. We chose the island of KohSamui and spent the best years of our lives there. We soon returned to Novi Sad, where I gave birth to my second child. However, it is my city in which I have the most trust on every issue. The children went to kindergarten, so Lazar and Sonja enjoyed the benefits of the sun, the most beautiful landscapes, delicious food, and an abundance of fruits and vegetables for four years.
Professionally, I spent most of my time painting smaller formats. With the two small children, whom I took care of, I did not have room for larger projects. I got a job in a furniture gallery and met a lot of interesting people from all over the world. It was an invaluable experience for us and the children, in every sense. Nostalgia is something that is instilled in me. The desire to return to the island grew with it.
Before we enrolled the children in primary school, we moved to the Spanish island of Mallorca. My art no longer suffers as much as in Asia. Spanish villages are less unknown to me than the places I visited in Asia. The old continent is my inspiration, the smell of moisture in the bricks is something that reminds me of longevity, and old, dilapidated and neglected facades and windows are our trace in time.
I don't care where I travel. It is important to move around and not miss opportunities. Mostly I will choose a warm destination rather than colder landscapes. Similarities with Vojvodina… We are making visible progress, we are slowly exploring the possibilities of the plain, we recognize the quality and I like that. The farms have a lot of potential, they resemble Majorcan finks, they serve good food from the menu of local cuisine. Brandy, wine, ham... We all know that tourists love to eat well. At the same time, we already have other qualities, especially natural and cultural resources, which we need to use more.
Painting is directly related to the experience of external, but also internal (spiritual) space. Which place in Vojvodina especially inspires you and is there any hidden point of interest that you would reveal to our readers?
Novi Sad without hesitation! Full of passages and courtyards, which are so picturesque, they do not allow us to forget our origins and history. I can't give it up and I always like to come back to it. Lately, since the sun is back, I really like the Srem side and the slopes of Fruška Gora, Ledinci, Rakovac. Beautiful settlements that smell of linden.
Have you tried a dish on your travels that reminded you of Vojvodina? What is your favorite Vojvodina delicacy and how do you prepare it?
I’m not a fan of meat, especially not pork. I don't like to cook for hours, to torture food in a pot. I brought wok and rice cooker from Asia and that's all I need to prepare a meal in 20 minutes. I don’t think the cuisine is our strong point, it could all be a lot more aromatic. I like to use basil, mint and hot peppers in almost every dish. Spanish paella, when well prepared, with seafood is fantastic. Spanish cuisine is more similar to ours, especially because we use similar ingredients and spices. Thai, however, is quite different. From Vojvodina's food, I like zuspeise of all kinds, and from sweets - floating island, but I can't make them!
Can we expect your new exhibition in the near future?
Yes, I dared and after a long time I will exhibit independently at the CCNS "Art Salon" (at Katolickaporta 5). The opening will be on July 6, 2020 and the exhibition will last for ten days. You will have the opportunity to see paintings made during the isolation, titled "Faces of Cities".