9TH FEMINIST ART COLONY IN SICEVO COMPLETED
The 9th Feminist Art Colony was successfully held in Sićevo. Eight artists participated in the colony: Tamara Knežević (Novi Sad), Jelena Čuljić (Trstenik), Vanja Bajović (Čačak), Marija Jojić (Belgrade), Sanja Solunac (Belgrade), Marija Matović (Belgrade), Anđelija Roglić (Raška), Isidora Marzano (Belgrade).
Upon arrival in Niš, after the traditional photo shoot in front of the monument to Nadežda Petrović, the artists settled in a hostel in Sićevo.
On the first day of the colony, the artists had the opportunity to get to know the Center for Girls, as well as each other. The artists watched a film about the Center for Girls and received materials for work at the colony, as well as a publication created on the occasion of the organization’s 25 years of work. On the same day, a part of the play “I am an emotional being” was performed in front of the artists, which talks about violence against girls and women, human trafficking, women’s human rights and the experiences of girls from all over the world.
On the second, third and fourth day of the colony, the female artists participated in a self-defense workshop led by Tatjana Nikolić. At the workshop, they learned five principles of self-defense, a communication formula, how to say no clearly and loudly and set boundaries, be assertive, recognize a violent situation, be aware of your surroundings, defend yourself from verbal and physical attack, run away and seek help. In addition, they learned three punches and five physical self-defense techniques. After the workshops, they had free time, which they could spend creating, socializing, exchanging experiences and resting in the natural surroundings of the Sićevac Gorge.
On the fifth day, female artists participated in a workshop on gender-sensitive language, held by Sara Plazinić. They learned why it is important to use gender-sensitive language when talking about themselves and other women, and how to use it. They had the opportunity to break down some of the preconceptions about gender-sensitive language and give their comments regarding its use and importance. Later in the day, there was a celebration of the colony’s 9th birthday, as well as the birthday of one of the participants. We blew out the candle, made wishes and enjoyed the cake and the company.
On the sixth day, the colonies of female artists continued to create works of art using a wide variety of techniques – painting, graphics, drawing. In the evening, they had the opportunity to see the performance-lecture “In the arms of the forgotten”, performed by actress Maja Mitić. The play talks about important women of the Balkans and the female roles played by Maja Mitić, about what they mean for her personal and our collective identity and development.
The Feminist Art Colony in Sićevo was created out of a desire to empower and promote young female artists, as well as with the intention to involve visual artists of the Serbian and regional scene more in current feminist topics, to connect with each other, to achieve cooperation and to give them space in where they can freely practice their art. This art colony was founded in 2015, on the 110th anniversary of the founding of the art colony in Sićevo, whose founder was the Serbian painter and humanitarian Nadežda Petrović.
The feminist art colony was supported by OAK and Trag Foundation and the Global Fund for Women.
Photo: Marija V., Marta S., Tatjana N., Boban R.
