May 19

Sara Masnikosa

Written by Cassie Mckenzie, curator, M.A. in museum studies.

Sara Masnikosa is a mixed media artist who has had sixteen solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group exhibitions and projects in Serbia since 2015. In 2021, she had a solo exhibition at Gallery Ausstellungsbrücke in Sankt Polten, Austria. Sara has received several awards, including the Dositeja Scholarship, the Academy of Arts Award in Novi Sad, and the Redemption Award of the 48th Youth Palette. She is a member of the Association of Visual Artists and has garnered international recognition, including an Honorable Mention at the 17th International Biennial of Miniature Art in Gornji Milanovac, Serbia, in 2024.

The art represents detailed spatial objects and installations which intricately weave together human figures in social roles. Her works serve as poignant reflections on life, often capturing specific moments, events, or actions within a broader social context. Through her art, Sara explores the intricacies of human existence, highlighting the dynamics of social interactions and the complexities of individual experiences. In 2019, Sara introduced motion forms into her work, further enhancing the dynamism and depth of her narratives. Sara's creations invite viewers to contemplate nuances of human behavior and underlying emotions which shape our reciprocations with the world around us.

Outside, Such a Lonely Place (top of article) is a series of two works made using a combined technique of wood, plexiglass, and Fimo clay. Her work depicts human figures in various forms and situations using strong lines and angles with black-and-white features which resemble a fence. The first piece shows three-dimensional figures strung out along wires arranged in different positions. Some are pointing, some stand upright, and some are without heads, evoking questions and curiosity about the figures and what they are doing. The mixed media work shows how humans become entangled in their social interactions and how connected we remain while existing in our own isolation.

The second piece, Outside, Such a Lonely Place (second from top of article), depicts a similar theme to the previous one. Through a window, the scenarios of many figures and groups. The figures are seen lying down, interacting by touching or perhaps talking, checking a watch, or looking into the distance. With many moving parts appearing as lives of others from a distance with an outsider looking in. The figures seem to be doing everyday activities while the viewer observes. Empty chairs create an invitation allowing others to take up the space elsewhere. The simplicity and intention allows viewers to interpret the figures and their activities in many different ways, making the piece a little different for every viewer.

Sara Masnikosa's shadow box-styled pieces create portals into humanity's interconnectedness. Interpreting these in various ways allows her viewers to contemplate the human experience and societal interactions. The sometimes numerous faceless figures piled onto or near each other in her works conveys the erasure of individualism. In certain works, the figures appear shriveled and stacked onto each other as if representing a mass grave. Her bold lines and unornamented figures entice our curiosity and playfulness. Sara does a phenomenal job of creating spaces which explore human psychology and evoking contrasting senses of isolation and socialization.