Although my journey took me to the Netherlands, my practice has always remained closely connected to my cultural identity and roots. Being away from Serbia helped me realize the potential of my hometown, and I felt the need to give back to Opovo through this project, which created a platform for building bridges between different cultures and places. In the summer of 2022 the art residency “Opovo 2022: Stork” became a reality, fulfilling my long-held dream. Over the course of two weeks, more than 10 artists from 10 countries gathered in Opovo, with the aim of creating a group exhibition. The residency culminated in a festival held during the program’s last weekend, featuring a diverse range of events such as music performances, acting showcases, movie nights, and bird watching. The theme revolved around the stork, a bird that holds significance for both the local community in Opovo and carries a broader universal meaning, representing birth, renewal and fertility. Throughout the program participants stayed in an old family house, a place I frequently return to and a central point in my practice. As the organizer, I incorporated all aspects of my artistic practice into this project, aiming to better connect Serbia to contemporary trends. None of this would have been possible without the support and enthusiasm of the local “Jovan Popović” gallery which recognized the potential of such an initiative. Participants included: Adam Centko, Carmen Roca Igual, Emir Karyo, Fabian Kasper, Haris Begić, Ivan Čuić, Jan Wojda, Milutin Marković, Niya Tsenkova, Rok Juričić and Vladimir Vidanovski.
Emir Karyo & Jan Wojda
Documentation by Vladimir Vidanovski
Poster by Emir Karyo & Jan Wojda