Osaka International Art Fair 2025. 29.05-1.06.
For the first time, Serbia had the opportunity to have not one but two galleries exhibiting in collaboration at the Osaka International Art Fair 2025. This was enabled by the Japanese Embassy, which funded two stands (and additional costs) representing the Serbian contemporary art scene. Another collaboration between the directors of the X Vitamin and BelArt galleries, i.e. Ksenija Marinković and Vesna Latinović, brought a total of 7 artists to Japan. Five artists who are otherwise represented by the X Vitamin gallery and two who are represented by BelArt: the late Raša Todosijević, Mihael Milunović, Marina Marković; Mića Stajčić, Irena Kovač, Edita Kadrić and Katarina Pirković.
Another opportunity to see Raša’s works after the exhibition at X Vitamin (Great Fantasy, 05.09 -28.10.2024). Of which there are still a few works left, from that period, the 90s. Smaller formats of abstract watercolours that represent a warning about society and politics through provocation аnd subtle symblism. M. Marković and M. Milunović created new works intended for this event. Michael researched Japanese mythology and based on those stories, painted animal motifs on smaller formats. Using a similar colour scheme that adds to the mystery of the works. Marina once again showed her skill in drawing on smaller formats. Although she has recently been involved in performance (Salon MSU, October Salon 2024), here we see the same concept of ‘women in art’, i.e. how men see women, but with her signature pink colour. This grotesqueness and vulgarity can in some way be connected to the works of female artists from the BelArt gallery – Edita Kadirić and Katarina Pirković. Kadirić has slightly simpler compositions, mainly depicting a female being in an unusual physical state. The expression is calm, but the state in which they are painted is disturbing. As with Pirković, who, through narration and dark colors in her surreal compositions, conveys a deep, mysterious and dark impression, but not in a shocking and frightening way. Both artists depict the emotion of inner unrest and fear that is deeply hidden and not noticeable on the surface.
While Mića’s figures are completely different – his childishness, playfulness and nostalgia for children’s cartoons are irreplaceable. His works always attract the attention of all ages, and the colors that pop out certainly contribute to that. The artist and co-founder of the X Vitamin gallery, this time limited himself to smaller sculptures that in this way create adored impression on visitors. Irina Kovač also prepared an installation for this occasion. She worked on textiles, on which she drew by hand. What is fascinating is that they look like printed graphics. She uses different colors and formats to attract attention with different motifs that are special and completely different from each other. With representations of animals and people, she composed all this with old rubber toys that are on small pedestals between the works.
The fair was held in Osaka Jo-Hall, where 113 galleries and over 100 artists from different countries exhibited.
For more information, visit the gallery websites:
【Text : Nao】Based in Belgrade, Serbia. Born to a Japanese mother from Osaka and a Serbian father. Studied at Belgrade University of Philosophy in the field of Art History. After volunteering and working at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Belgrade (MSUB), currently works at X Vitamin Gallery that focuses on contemporary scene.
