The Interpretation Centre of the Cathedral of St James

Yesterday in the gallery “St. Nikola Tavelić” inside the Interpretation Centre, the exhibition “Spiritus Europae” by Ana Marija Botteri was officially opened.

The established academic painter presented herself to the Šibenik audience for the first time with the cycle Spirit of Europe dedicated to the unity of the Catholic, Orthodox, Islamic and Jewish faiths. Painting all over Europe, he brings us pictures of Paris, Vienna, Venice, Kiev, Mostar, Šibenik and other wonderful sights painted with bright colors. It is art that invites dialogue in the coexistence of diversity and sends a message of peace at Christmas time.

The exhibition was opened by Ivor Igrec, an art historian who says the following about the exhibition and the author herself:
”Motivated by the current state of the world, the author chose a theme that would be translated from Latin as the Spirit of Europe, and with the choice of motifs she set out to create views and cultural landscapes that reflect the richness and diversity of the cultural heritage of collective Europe, which the author reinterpreted and revitalized with her own color, bringing them into a contemporary context. Through hand strokes, the artist conjures up landscapes and cultural monuments that define the identity of the entire continent, mutually permeated with the influence of others, the so-called distant cultures. The views of the cities of old Europe, with all its artifacts of history interwoven with its streets, squares, magnificent secular and religious buildings, become the inspiration for Ana Marija’s artworks that evoke emotions and tell stories about time and space.
Art becomes a bridge between the past and the present, conveying the spirit of the place through creative interpretations, with the desire to help us all continue the intercultural dialogue that started a long time ago, making us drops in the sea of ​​a common narrative of the world.
Considering all the changes and challenges brought by the modern age, the artist contributed to painting remaining a beacon that illuminates the path to understanding, compassion and building a better future together. Through its universality, art reminds us of our common human connection and encourages us to open ourselves to a diversity of experiences and perspectives. In today’s global society, where borders are becoming more and more fluid, art like the one created by Ana Marija Botteri becomes a key element in connecting different cultures and creating a common language that everyone can understand. Through cultural diversity and artistic expression, Europe remains an open book waiting to be explored and reinterpreted, giving us a deeper understanding and connection to our common heritage.”

Ana Marija Botteri was born in 1971 in Split. Graduated from the School of Applied Art and Design in Split. In 1993, she graduated in painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb with prof. Jure Seder. Studied in Paris, Milan, Venice and Vienna. He is engaged in making mosaics and stained glass. He is a member of HZSU and HULU. She exhibited at over sixty independent exhibitions in the country and abroad. Her works are in many gallery and museum collections. She is a prominent author of portraits of many famous people. Studio Varan “Centre de formation a la Realisation documentaire Paris”, shot a short documentary about Botteri while she was painting with her father Josip Botteri Dini in Paris in 2011. She made a large mosaic of Murano glass in the parish church in Grebnice, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He lives and works in Split and Bol on the island of Brač. He permanently exhibits his works in the “Botteri” Ateliers.

The exhibition remains open until January 3, and admission is free.