Danijela Veljković

You studied economics professionally, but later developed a practice in visual art, photography, and poetry. What led you to this creative path, and when did art become an important part of your life?

Although my professional education is in economics and digital marketing, art has always been part of my inner world. Photography was my first form of expression, and later, poetry and painting naturally followed, leading me deeper into the world of visual art.

I believe that the rational and the creative are not mutually exclusive; on the contrary, they complement each other. For me, art has become a way of preserving emotions, identity, and cultural heritage, while also telling stories through a contemporary form of expression that transcends time.

I believe that art is not a profession one simply chooses at a particular moment in life, but rather an inner need that gradually takes shape over time.

Several of your recent paintings draw inspiration from Serbia’s archaeological and cultural heritage, including “The Vinča Mother,” “The Kličevac Idol,” and “The Dupljaja Chariot.” What is it about these ancient artefacts and the stories behind them that draws you to them?

I am drawn to their timeless symbolism and deep cultural roots, which connect us with our ancestors. I do not see these artefacts merely as museum objects, but as carriers of collective memory. In them, I recognize traces of the earliest human thoughts, beliefs, and creative impulses. They speak a universal language that transcends the boundaries of time and space.

For me, the Vinča culture is not simply an archaeological fact; it represents one of the foundations of European civilization and an important part of Serbia’s cultural identity. Through my paintings, I want to show that heritage does not belong solely to the past—it is a living value that can continue to inspire contemporary art.

I am fascinated by the fact that these objects were created thousands of years ago, yet they still carry such powerful symbolism. Through works inspired by motifs such as the Vinča Mother, the Kličevac Idol, and the Dupljaja Chariot, I want to highlight the pillars of our cultural heritage and establish a dialogue between the past and the present.

They are not merely archaeological finds, but symbols of humanity’s earliest attempts to express spirituality, aesthetics, and our understanding of the cosmos. My aim is not simply to depict an archaeological object, but to capture its spiritual and symbolic energy. What fascinates me most is that, even after so many millennia, their visual language and aesthetic continue to communicate so powerfully with us today.

Danijela Veljković | Specijalista Ekonomije Dupljajska Kolica | 2026

When you transform an ancient artefact into a contemporary painting, how closely do you want to remain connected to its original form, and where do you allow your own imagination to take over?

The original artefact is my starting point and my source of inspiration. It is very important to me to preserve its recognizable silhouette and authentic details, because that is where much of its symbolic power lies. However, I am not trying to create a historical reconstruction. My role as an artist is to open a new dialogue between the past and the present.

The moment I begin the painting, the artefact ceases to be merely an object and becomes a symbol. That is when my imagination takes over—through color, light, texture, emotion, and composition. I create a new work that carries my personal artistic imprint.

I believe that art should connect the past with the contemporary experience. That is when a work emerges that carries the traces of history while speaking in a contemporary visual language.

Your figures often appear isolated against deep, dark backgrounds, giving them an almost iconic or ceremonial presence. What role does this contrast play in your work?

For me, the dark background is not an absence of light, but a space of silence and contemplation. It removes everything that might distract the viewer and allows the focus to remain entirely on the sacredness and beauty of the figure itself. In this way, the figure becomes a symbol rather than simply a representation of an object.

This strong contrast allows the viewer to focus on the form, the lines, and the inner world of the subject. I like the idea of leaving the viewer alone with the figure, so that, within the silence of the painting, they can find their own meaning.

At that point, the painting becomes a space of encounter between the past, the artist, and the viewer. It is precisely within that silence that the possibility of a deeply personal experience emerges.

Danijela Veljković | Specijalista Ekonomije KličEvačKi Idol | 2026

The warm ochre, orange, red, and earthy tones dominate these paintings. Are these colors connected to your interpretation of antiquity, the material qualities of the archaeological artefacts, or something more personal?

For me, earthy tones represent a connection to clay, earth, and the archaeological layers in which these artefacts were discovered. At the same time, they convey warmth—they evoke terracotta, the fire that shaped these objects, endurance, and memory, while also carrying a sense of my own personal emotional warmth.

I sometimes introduce more intense reds and oranges to emphasize the energy of life that still exists within these ancient forms. I also associate these colors with the natural pigments that humans used to create some of the earliest images in history.

For me, these colors embody endurance, memory, the warmth of life, and continuity. I want the viewer to feel that they are not simply looking at an object from the distant past, but at a part of the human story that continues to this day.

Photography is another important part of your artistic practice, and you have exhibited work exploring themes such as “Identity” and “Femininity.” Do these themes also find their way into your paintings?

Yes. Although these themes are not always presented directly, identity, womanhood, and cultural heritage are central motifs in my work. The feminine archetype, motherhood, and the continuous cycle of life deeply inform my visual language.

For me, photography and painting are two different languages through which I speak about the same values. A particularly important place is held by the feminine and maternal identity—not simply as a representation of womanhood, but as a symbol of creation, life, strength, and continuity.

That is why motifs such as the Vinča Mother, a powerful archetype of femininity, fertility, and motherhood, naturally find their place within my artistic expression. Through these works, I want to show that questions of identity, the feminine principle, and our origins are universal and timeless. They connect us across centuries, regardless of the medium through which I choose to express myself.

Danijela Veljković | Specijalista Ekonomije VinčAnska Majka | 2026

You began exhibiting your work relatively recently. How has presenting your art publicly changed the way you see your work or think about your audience?

Exhibiting my work has given me the opportunity to see my art through the eyes of the audience. Every exhibition confirms for me that a work of art begins a new life when it encounters the viewer. The audience’s reactions often reveal new meanings that I myself was not fully aware of while creating the work, and this encourages me to continue exploring and developing my artistic expression.

Every exhibition is a new dialogue. Once a work leaves the studio, it no longer belongs solely to the artist. It begins to live through the experiences and emotions of the people who encounter it. That is why I believe art reaches its fullest meaning through its encounter with the audience.

I am often surprised by how many different interpretations a single work can inspire, and I see that as one of its greatest strengths. I do not create paintings to provide definitive answers; I create them to open a space for questions, memories, and inner dialogue.

If my work encourages even one person to look at cultural heritage differently, or to pause before a symbol that carries thousands of years of human history, then I believe it has fulfilled its purpose.