Field Review | Artist Interview Series
In conversation with
Bosiljka Bakočević Delić
Bosiljka Bakočević Delić earned her master's degree in 2022 at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cetinje, in the class of professor Ratko Odalović, where she focused on watercolor as the main medium. For her work in 2021, she received the Plaque of the University of Montenegro for achievements in the field of art. In the same year, the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro selected her to participate in the IPA project MONET and the art laboratory at the Ribezzo Archaeological Museum in Brindisi, Italy. She won the 2nd prize at the Celebrating Young Talents competition organized by Luštica Development, as well as the audience prize at the first Watercolor Biennale in Novi Sad.
She presented her work at the international fair Art Market Budapest in 2020 and 2022, as well as at the 5th International Watercolor Festival CASTRA 2023 in Ajdovščina, Slovenia. In October 2025, she exhibits in the ToolipArt gallery in Vienna, as part of the group exhibition Nature.
She has been a member of the Association of Fine Artists of Montenegro (ULUCG) since 2021. Until now, she has exhibited at numerous collective exhibitions in the country and abroad, and has realized nine independent exhibitions, through which she continuously develops her artistic expression in the watercolor technique.
From:
Montenegro
Artist Statement
The human being is a part of nature itself. When an artist observes nature, the combinations of views can vary even they are both unchanged.
Tell us about yourself and your artistic background.
I was born and grew up by the water, the beautiful twinkling light of Boka Kotorska and tall proud hills, which predetermined me for the watercolor technique. The watercolor itself is a story made of threads - water, light and pigments.
How would you describe your artistic practice?
Water had the biggest influence on my work, through its passive and simultaneosly active role. The new aesthetic has being created. Chinese painting and calligraphy, based on Taoism, helped me to better understand water as a painting element. The starting point of Taoism actually lies in surrendering to the flow.
What themes or ideas are most important in your work?
The spiritus movens of my artistic research is nature. The immediate study, of the world around us, makes me think, changes my perception and teaches me to react quickly. The plant forms, serving as a starting point, arosed from the landscape of Boka bay.
What inspires your creative process?
The plant, passing through life stages, reveals to me a whole world of colors, values, forms and structures. By observing the flower and elnlarging the petals beyond their natural proportions, the observer is forced to see details that would not be noticed otherwise.
Can you tell us about a recent artwork or project?
I would like to highlight the international group exhibition Nature, in the Toolip Art gallery in Vienna. I received an invitation letter last year and sent five of my watercolors created in Risan. That very cycle of paintings was called Risan moment showing the scenes from Risan - beaches, market and park. I like especially the watercolor of small palm tree.
What challenges have influenced your development as an artist?
The Montenegrin art market is not developed or is still in its infancy. Thanks to residencies, EU projects, and independent efforts, borders can be crossed.
What role does art play in your life today?
Simply, art for me is like breathing. The core of my existence.
What are you currently working on?
I am working on a new series of works, which will be premiered in December at the exhibition " Treasure of Light and Scenes from the Aquarium" in Nikšić Museums and Galleries, Montenegro. Watercolors are being created in the Boka Aquarium, where I paint the underwater world.
What are your future goals as an artist?
My only goal is to continue painting. Art will find its own way.
Where can readers follow your work?
On the Instagram account bosiljka.bakochevic
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Bosiljka Bakočević Delić
