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December 12, 2003
Changed life reflected in art
Former Yugoslavian makes Vancouver a new home for her artwork.
JANNETTE EDMONDS SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
Soft, muted landscapes, looking like quiet color washes and batiks;
sharp, angled modern art in angry reds and blacks, reminiscent of
Picasso; and pieces incorporating materials resembling skirts and
hats – such are the dichotomous styles that comprise the work
in Mila Kostic's latest exhibit, Transitions.
It is an apt title for this show, which features 27 works of oil
and acrylic by Kostic at the Sidney and Gertrude Zack Gallery. Her
wide variations in style reflect her divergence from the traditional
methods she was taught as a gifted child in the former Yugoslavia.
The challenge to incorporate these pieces into an integrated whole
was aptly met by the talents of Reisa Schneider, cultural arts co-ordinator
for the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver. Her fine eye
has brought about a synchronicity and balance that may not have
been achieved otherwise.
Kostic, who was born in Yugoslavia but now makes her home in Vancouver,
likes the fact that she can experiment and grow artistically in
Canada. She and her husband, Alex, fled here in 1996, leaving behind
a country on the verge of war. Kostic had to give up an esteemed
career as an artist, as well as a privileged life with a nice home
and all the perks of fame. She was also forced to leave her father-in-law
and former teacher, the renowned artist Emilo Kostic.
Her husband found employment in the computer field a few weeks after
they arrived, leaving Kostic home alone. With no knowledge of cooking
or how to speak English, she had to take care of a baby daughter
and a nine-year-old son. She refused to give in to the feelings
of being overwhelmed by these challenges, she said, and began painting
in their tiny apartment.
"What was challenging for me here was not speaking any English,"
she said. "It was tough. People judge you by your level of
communication, because that is very important. I kept trying. Canada
is a young country and as an artist you are able to [try] everything.
Here you have opportunity to change. In Yugoslavia, it is more established,
it is written, and you cannot change."
Although trained to paint realistic paintings, she left that tradition
behind.
"My father-in-law was a very big influence," she said.
"He was perfect, he created perfect landscapes. So something
happened to me. I felt that I couldn't even try to make them as
good, so I expressed myself in abstracts."
Although there was more government help for artists in Yugoslavia,
she said, "here you have all the materials that you need to
buy. There, it was hard even to buy paper."
After only seven years in Canada, she is pleased with where her
career has taken her, and she has more than 100 pieces. The surprising
thing for her, she said, was the many chances to exhibit.
"It would be very easy for me to hide, to just do my work,"
she said. "But it is important to go out in the public, talk
about yourself, your work. It is easier to do that here, and it
is more acceptable. People are more open."
Juggling her time, Kostic paints four to five hours a night and
credits her success to the support of Alex, her husband of 16 years.
"I could not do it without him," she said. "I am
not superwoman. He gives me time to work and supports me in every
way. I am lucky. My father-in-law said an artist is not supposed
to get married. 'You are selfish, you work long hours, how can you
have time for a family?' "
But Kostic has proven that she can have both. She has succeeded
in having six solo shows in the Greater Vancouver area, as well
as numerous group exhibits here and in the United States.
Transitions runs at the gallery until Jan. 7. For more information,
call 604-257-5111.
Jannette Edmonds is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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