People, ships, the sea, sardines, seagulls, and stone in an exceptionally realistic and highly expressive artistic form—all familiar details, but with the hyperrealistic brushstrokes of the master of visual arts, Zoran Homen, the boundaries between reality and unreality have almost ceased to exist. The author’s view of Betina is captured in this incredible opus titled Betinske reminiscencije (Betina Reminiscences). The exhibition can be viewed until August 16th.
Exhibition Review
Hyperrealistic art, also known as photorealism, is an artistic style that aims to create images that resemble highly detailed photographs. This style developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with artists using various techniques to achieve extremely realistic depictions of their subjects. It emerged as a reaction to the abstract and expressionist styles that dominated earlier periods. Hyperrealism often questions the perception of reality and the boundaries between art and reality, making it a fascinating and provocative approach in contemporary art.
Hyperrealism seeks to highlight details and textures in a way that portrays the real world almost as if it has been transferred from reality onto the canvas. Hyperrealist artists often use highly precise techniques to achieve this effect, including the use of highly detailed photographs as references, careful color blending, and the application of sophisticated perspective and lighting techniques.
Zoran Homen’s artworks frequently depict everyday scenes and objects with incredible precision and detail. Homen employs a technique that includes careful use of light, shadow, and texture to create the illusion of reality on the canvas. In the Museum of Betina Wooden Shipbuilding, he exhibits his hyperrealistic paintings related to the sea, wooden boats, and summer.
Zoran Homen’s hyperrealistic exhibition provides a unique experience that combines technical virtuosity with emotional depth. His ability to evoke a sense of wonder and introspection through precise and detailed depictions of everyday scenes is a testament to his talent and dedication to art. Through light, shadow, and texture, Homen’s works come to life on the canvas, inviting viewers to pause and immerse themselves in the world of hyperrealism.
This exhibition is not just a display of extraordinary technical skill but also a reminder of the beauty and complexity of our everyday surroundings. Each painting is a window into reality, rich with details and emotions that often go unnoticed in the rush of daily life. Therefore, visitors are invited to take with them a renewed appreciation for art and the world around them, inspired by the vision and mastery of Zoran Homen.
Sandra Barešin, exhibition curator