THE LANGUAGE OF COLOR

„Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” – Wassily Kandinsky

In the world perceived by the senses, color is the frequency of light that provides diversity while simultaneously affecting the experiences of the environment. It is a timeless and universal language through which artists convey deeper and more complex layers of their thoughts, feelings, and visions. As a fundamental visual element, color continuously transforms the world of art, enabling artists to interpret ideas and achieve communication, contemplation, and reflection. In the exhibition The Language of Color,  we present various ways of artistic expression employing color – through contrasts, symbolism, and a variety of materials and techniques. The exhibited works of contemporary Croatian artists showcase the versatility of color in different artistic mediums. Abstract artists often use color as a fundamental element of expression, experimenting with color to make it the primary constituent of form, liberated from the previously established rules of realism, in order to evoke inner experiences in the viewer. Without recognizable forms, colors become crucial factors in meaning and emotions. According to Kandinsky, each color has its characteristic sound and spiritual resonance. In this way, blue, for example, evokes associations with the sky and spirituality, while red is characterized by its dynamic and energetic quality. Needless to say, color has also served as a factor of atmosphere and a building block of symbolic meaning in previous artistic periods, such as in Gothic, Mannerism, or Baroque art. In the exhibited works contrasts are applied to achieve a visual affinity and an emotional response from the viewer. Color plays a central role in the overall articulation of the artistic concept. The varying intensities, tones, and shades achieved in various ways are what connect the selected works of Iris Jambrek, Grgur Akrap, Damir Sobota, and Ivan Prerad. Iris Jambrek, with her rich palette, layered compositions, and contrast between neutral and vibrant colors, subtly creates dynamic and inspiring scenes, fostering various interpretations. Grgur Akrap’s recognizable style is based on contrast, capturing the atmosphere by emphasizing the focal motif. Damir Sobota combines different traditions and experiments in geometric abstraction within his works. Through a variety of colorful lines, the artist creates abstract geometric shapes within the composition, which are replicated within the frame to form a kind of algorithm. Ivan Prerad takes motifs from nature and breaks them by using thin lines of color that resemble pixels on an LCD screen, with their shades that seem different depending on the viewing angle. Jelena Sokić, Marko Tadić, and Anita Kontrec are artists whose works are abundant in distinctive symbolism. Jelena Sokić’s works often reflect the inner world of the artist and her attempts to understand her own emotional states, which she often conveys through layers of color. Marko Tadić, in his multimedia works, reinterprets cultural and historical heritage, creating new imaginary worlds in which color can bear symbolism or highlight specific visual elements. Anita Kontrec’s polyester sculptures are characterized by intense, pure colors that the artist uses to build the most subtle inner vibrations of emotion and spirituality as a spiritual experience. Ana Ratković Sobota, Marija Koruga, Matej Vuković, and Matko Vekić combine various painting and sculpting techniques and materials, simultaneously connecting visuality and tactility through color. Ana Ratković Sobota depicts landscape motifs using batik, a technique that involves painting fabric using wax. The choice of nature as a motif, along with the chosen technique and materials, indicates the artist’s strong ecological awareness. Matej Vuković uses fiberglass in his works and explores human psychophysics through organic forms. He chooses colors based on feeling, and they appear in the form of abstract masses that seem to dissolve or expand from various objects, frozen in time. Marija Koruga combines color and relief to create an exceptionally rich visual experience, adding depth and texture to her work. The relief textures affect how light is reflected and refracted on the surface of the painting, creating deep shadows and playing with the light to highlight the layers and dimensions of the artwork itself. Matko Vekić uses everyday motifs as a backdrop for his painting experiments, employing various techniques to question his own medium. He places spirituality at the forefront of his works as a personal sign. The exhibition Language of Color aims to highlight the expressive power of color. Through contrasts, symbolism, and various techniques and materials, it offers a wide range of possibilities depending on the theme and medium in which color is used. Ultimately, all the mentioned artists reach for the same artistic tool – color – through which they either replicate the existing world, create new ones, or reflect their inner worlds. Each of these worlds is unique in its own way.