Tetovo, 29 October 2024 (MIA) -- Macedonian artist Ivana Nasteski's latest solo exhibition opened Monday evening at Tetovo's Iljo Anteski Smok Cultural Center. Titled "Flora," the exhibit contains of 31 paintings of flowers done in watercolor, gouache and ink.

According to MIA's Tetovo correspondent, Nasteski painted them over the past three years. Commenting on her inspiration, she said she had been surrounded by flowers all her life and she saw a small universe in each flower.

"Flowers are unique in that they hurt the least, or don't hurt," the artist told the press at the opening of the art show.

The show is also marking the 20th anniversary of the artist's first solo exhibition, which she said had been held at the same venue.

Ivana Nasteski (b. 1981, Tetovo) holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Printmaking from the state university's Faculty of Fine Arts.

She has had solo exhibits in Skopje; Ohrid; Kavadarci; Prilep; Belgrade and Shabac, Serbia; and Dresden, Germany; and participated in group exhibitions in Serbia, Russia, Greece, the USA, Portugal, China, Switzerland, Mexico, Taiwan, Spain, and Slovenia.

She has been a member of DLUM Association of Artists of Macedonia since 2009. She has won several awards, including the Macedonian Printmaking Grand Prix. 

"Flora" was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. mr/