Opening: Love, Sex and other Illusions | Tijana Grujić

About

"Love, Sex and other Illusions" shows a series of paintings in which naked, intertwined and entangled human bodies and orgies can be seen. At first glance, Tijana's works reflect the lack of emotional and physical closeness to which she was exposed, especially during her time as a single mother and teacher. Hugs, kisses and intimacy took place in a certain phase of the artist's life more on canvases rather than in reality. The consciously chosen colours express different emotions. But not only the physical and sexual components become clear in Tijana's paintings.

The intertwined bodies symbolize above all a mental break out from socially imposed boundaries and stereotypes that go hand in hand with conservative expectations and demands on certain work and gender roles. The painted grotesque clown faces reflect the adaptation to society. A mask is put on to function in this system. At the same time, the mask protects against true closeness. But behind the mask every person longs to be loved and accepted as he really is. Tijana was inspired by European ideas and the open exchange with like-minded people. Her ever increasing self-confidence in dealing with topics such as love, sex, intimacy and freedom can be seen in her paintings.

With her motifs, she encourages not only herself but also the viewer to question circumstances: What does love mean for me and society? How does woman and man behave during sex? Do gender roles have to be defined at all? What does closeness and freedom mean? Are the portrayed a couple or a stranger? What do I feel and think about it?

The view of her work leads to a kind of self-reflection in which the viewer is motivated to reveal and at the same time question his own way of thinking on these topics. In Tijana Grujics artworks, the contemporary spirit of the time and the changing consciousness are clearly recognizable.