For its innovative and unique perspective on an important art form, for its impressive and thoughtful collection of drawings, for all of the initiatives that help create a better understanding of and appreciation for artists from around the world, and for establishing a globally recognized voice in the art world in Skopje, Macedonia, OSTEN has received the 2016 BID International Quality Award in Paris, France, which is among the most prestigious recognitions for organizational excellence in the world.
The exhibition space of OSTEN - Institution for Museum and Gallery Activities who runs three international events: OSTEN Biennial of Drawing, OSTEN Biennial of Awarded Artists and World Gallery of Cartoons (since 1969). The gallery is in the center of Skopje, the capital of Northern Macedonia, a destination we often visit in recent years due to the special connection of artist Maty Grunberg to Macedonia, his homeland, and the projects he performs there. Established in 1969, the Gallery is celebrating this year its 50th anniversary of being a World Gallery of Cartoons. www.osten.mk
Mice Jankulovski, owner of OSTEN gallery , receives the 2016 BID International Quality Award
In 2016, artist Maty Grunberg was invited to take part in the OSTEN Biennale and was awarded a special recognition. See link:
http://www.matygrunberg.com/exhibitions--events/archives/02-2017
http://www.matygrunberg.com/exhibitions--events/archives/02-2017
This year, Maty and I were invited to attend a biennial of awarded artists of OSTEN Gallery. The biennial takes place at the St. Naum hotel, located on the shore of Lake Ochrid, one of the most beautiful places in North Macedonia.
https://www.discoveringmacedonia.com/2018/the-magnificent-monastery-of-st-naum/
https://www.discoveringmacedonia.com/2018/the-magnificent-monastery-of-st-naum/
Eight artists participate in the biennial:
Mice Jankulovski, owner of the gallery and an award-winning internationally recognized artist. From 2012 Mice paints only in black, creating refined three-dimensional textures in his paintings.
http://www.osten.mk/en/blog-post/27877/mice-jankulovski
Maty Grunberg writes about Mic's work: "While observing the black large canvases, our optic nerve transmits directly to the stream of consciousness, thus the artwork becomes a form of a mystic language. A journey into the depth of the large black paintings creates an inner process of the viewer, deeply touching his inner spirit."
http://www.osten.mk/en/blog-post/27877/mice-jankulovski
Maty Grunberg writes about Mic's work: "While observing the black large canvases, our optic nerve transmits directly to the stream of consciousness, thus the artwork becomes a form of a mystic language. A journey into the depth of the large black paintings creates an inner process of the viewer, deeply touching his inner spirit."
Maty Grunberg, my life mate, an Israeli sculptor artist, www.matygrunberg.com
I accompany him as a writer and the studio manager . In his Maty is delving into minimalism, a three-dimensional circle. Like the rest of the artist, he creates a one work of 100 cm by 70 cm, (this work is 3 dimension) and a big work - 195 cm by 285 cm. This is the first time he has done this kind of work on canvas and not on paper. He titles the big work – Three of four shades of red, concentric circles.
I accompany him as a writer and the studio manager . In his Maty is delving into minimalism, a three-dimensional circle. Like the rest of the artist, he creates a one work of 100 cm by 70 cm, (this work is 3 dimension) and a big work - 195 cm by 285 cm. This is the first time he has done this kind of work on canvas and not on paper. He titles the big work – Three of four shades of red, concentric circles.
Harris Kondosphyris, Greek artist, creates installations, mainly interested in the relationship between the wall and the space around it. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009785599318
Harris brings a small model of his artwork made of concrete and metal. He will enlarge this work to the size of the large work each artist is preparing for OSTEN biennial 2019: 195 x 285 cm.
Harris brings a small model of his artwork made of concrete and metal. He will enlarge this work to the size of the large work each artist is preparing for OSTEN biennial 2019: 195 x 285 cm.
Joskin Silian, Serbian painter https://www.facebook.com/JoskinSiljan,
Joshkin defines himself as a visual storyteller. For many years he has been working with autistic children who understand his paintings well and have a close and warm relationship with him.
Joshkin defines himself as a visual storyteller. For many years he has been working with autistic children who understand his paintings well and have a close and warm relationship with him.
Joskin Silian
Rosica Lazeska, whose name means "a drop of dew", Macedonian painter from Skopje. https://www.facebook.com/rosica.lazeska Usually she is engaged in assembling collages, mostly she works on a small scale in a figurative abstract style, this time Rosica enlarges the collage to work on the large canvas
Ahmet Albayrak, the youngest participant who comes from Kayseri City from urkey. https://www.ahmetalbayrak.net
A recurring motif in his paintings is wind sleeves which he paints persistently almost obsessively.It is fascinating to follow his work and notice the formation of the wind sleeves . The hoopoe bird also appears in many of his paintings, in his studio yard hoopoe birds land during their migration.
A recurring motif in his paintings is wind sleeves which he paints persistently almost obsessively.It is fascinating to follow his work and notice the formation of the wind sleeves . The hoopoe bird also appears in many of his paintings, in his studio yard hoopoe birds land during their migration.
Ahemet Albayrak
Nevat Beijtuli Kica, Macedonian painter who from the city of Tetovo. In his painting Kica captures a moment from an ancient legend that tells of a Turkish Muslim Pasha falling in love with a beautiful Christian Albanian girl, not a common thing in those days. The Sultan humbles him, but he refuses to obey and builds his own little kingdom and stays with his beloved. Kica paints the dramatic moment when Pasha first laid eyes on the beautiful girl.
Nevat Beijtuli Kica
Goce Bozurski, Macedonian painter from the town of Komanuvo, Goce begins by drawing graffiti on the canvas surface, then paints a hyper- realistic torso object, a surprising contrast, Characteristic of his works his artworks.
Goce Bozurski
I notice that many names end with syllable ca which is pronounced as "tzah". Mice, Rosica, Kica, Goce. Maty and I consider changing our names to Matytzah and Naomitzah… It also turns out that according to an ancient Macedonian tradition, fortunately not preserved today, after marriage, the woman's first name becomes the man's name plus the " tzah ", that is, if I marry Maty my name becomes Mateytzah. Gaining a husband, the woman loses her identity and becomes man's property...
And so, eight visual artists and one writer come together under the baton of the wonderful OSTEN gallery director – red head Kornelija Koneska, with a background of architecture and in-depth knowledge of the art and practical knowledge of the area, is energetic and visionary. Together with Mice Jankulovski, Kornelija leads OSTEN gallery towards international recognition.
And so, eight visual artists and one writer come together under the baton of the wonderful OSTEN gallery director – red head Kornelija Koneska, with a background of architecture and in-depth knowledge of the art and practical knowledge of the area, is energetic and visionary. Together with Mice Jankulovski, Kornelija leads OSTEN gallery towards international recognition.
Kornelija & Mice
Despite the language limitations and the different styles of painting, the artists quickly connect with each other, everyone speaks the language of art, the language of creators. Between Macedonian, Serbian, English, Turkish and Hebrew - they all work out. For example, we find that when you raise a toast, "Lehaim" in Hebrew, which means - to life, in Macedonian - Jivli, also to life, in Serbian, as in Russian - Nazdrovia, in Turkish – Sherefe' - to your honor, in Albanian - Gazo, which is "beautiful" or "good". Toothpicks, in Macedonian - Chachalitzah, in Turkish - Churdan. Milk rice, a pampering dish that mothers and grandmothers around the world cook, in Arabic – Raz Behlib, in Turkey - in Sutlatch, in Serbian - Soukliash , and in Macedonian - Soutliash. OSTEN artist community is formed around the dining, wine and beer table.
All the participants are excellent artists, renowned in their own country, some internationally renowned. Everyone, of course, is an Osten's award winner. The choice of the participating artists, and the climate that Cornelia and Mice enshrine around them create an environment of creativity, generosity, and mutual reciprocity. The atmosphere is relaxed, the artists exchange general and specific opinions and ideas about each other's works. Not an obvious thing about a bunch of competitive artists.
All the participants are excellent artists, renowned in their own country, some internationally renowned. Everyone, of course, is an Osten's award winner. The choice of the participating artists, and the climate that Cornelia and Mice enshrine around them create an environment of creativity, generosity, and mutual reciprocity. The atmosphere is relaxed, the artists exchange general and specific opinions and ideas about each other's works. Not an obvious thing about a bunch of competitive artists.
One day there is excitement in the hotel staff. It turns out that the Macedonian top clergy is coming for a visit in this holy place. Saint Naum is named after its founder - Sveti Naum, who founded it in 905 as a monasterywhere he taught Cyrillic literature and cured people. Today, the complex includes an ancient church where masses of believers and tourists come to visit, a hotel we live in, and a restaurant overlooking beautiful Ohrid Lake.
The archbishop of Macedonia and his colleague from Russia, who is from Northern Macedonian origin, and became President Putin's spiritual father, and an entourage of pastors, honor us by taking interest in the artworks and the artists. They pay us a special visit; each artist says a few words about his work. Mice Jankulovski presents Maty as the last Jewish baby who survived the Holocaust of the Jews of Macedonia and became a well-known artist, the welcome Maty with a Hebrew Shalom. Maty uses the short time and tell about his exhibition, which is part of the permanent exhibition at the Holocaust Museum in Skopje and the Sundial Monument he built for the old Jewish cemetery in the city of Bitola, in Macedonia.
Mice Jankulovski grants the guests a portfolio of the OSTEN Biennale, 2018. They accept it with respect.
We are a band of artists - Christians, Muslims, Jews, none of us is observant, some of us are absolute atheists, but we are all excited with this surprising visit.
The archbishop of Macedonia and his colleague from Russia, who is from Northern Macedonian origin, and became President Putin's spiritual father, and an entourage of pastors, honor us by taking interest in the artworks and the artists. They pay us a special visit; each artist says a few words about his work. Mice Jankulovski presents Maty as the last Jewish baby who survived the Holocaust of the Jews of Macedonia and became a well-known artist, the welcome Maty with a Hebrew Shalom. Maty uses the short time and tell about his exhibition, which is part of the permanent exhibition at the Holocaust Museum in Skopje and the Sundial Monument he built for the old Jewish cemetery in the city of Bitola, in Macedonia.
Mice Jankulovski grants the guests a portfolio of the OSTEN Biennale, 2018. They accept it with respect.
We are a band of artists - Christians, Muslims, Jews, none of us is observant, some of us are absolute atheists, but we are all excited with this surprising visit.
On Friday we take time out and tour in the magical city of Ochrid. The trip ends with the opening of an exhibition marking fifty years Anniversary of OSTEN Gallery's activities as an international cartoon gallery. Cartoons are a means of conveying visual messages in a clean and sharp way. OSTEN considers cartoons a weapon of peace. Each year the gallery hosts an international competition, thus allowing cartoonists to sharpen their "weapons". The current exhibition in Ochrid presents the 50 cartoons that won firstprize over the years. It is an intriguing and intelligent exhibition.
The next day we go for a boat ride on the spring of St. Naum, the water is clear and cool, they come from Lake Prespa beyond the mountains, high above Lake Ohrid, the elevation differences and the structure of the land have caused an interesting phenomenon, the water springs flow from the ground in the river. Streams of water burst out of the sand. Zoran, the boat cruiser, says that twice a day the water in the river changes as a result of these springs, that's the reason the water is pure. Some believe the water is holy and purifies the body, a common belief is that St. Naum healed patients with this water. Zoran does the cruise ten times a day during high season, he thinks it's the best job in the world. He explains that the whole place does not belong to anyone and therefore belongs to everyone. The beauty of the world belongs to everyone. In this optimistic tone, we return to work.
Towards the end of our stay, Raffi Kaiser, an Israeli painter who lives in Paris where he is very successful, is arriving to visit the Biennale. Raffi and Maty, old acquaintance, are surprised to meet each other on the banks of Ohrid lake. Raffi draws a small pencil work on paper as a gift to OSTEN gallery.
This article was wrritten by me, Naomi. R. Azar, an Israeli writer, I accompanied my partner, artist Maty Grunberg, to OSTEN Biennale of awarded artists 2019. I also took the pictures. As there was no table in the room I improvised...
