- Published: 19.03.2025.
Exhibiton “Behind the Sky” in London, a Tribute to Missing Persons from the Croatian Homeland War
The exhibition "Behind the Sky", a tribute to victims and missing persons from the Croatian Homeland War and their families, by Croatian artist Gordana Špoljar Andrašić, was officially opened on Wednesday evening, March 19, 2025, at "D Contemporary" gallery in London. Arrival of exhibition to the British capital was financed by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia with the assistance of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia to the United Kingdom.
"In my works, I tried to express something that is invisible, intangible and exists only in our spiritual world. That is why I use materials that are fragile, because all our thoughts about the disappearance of our loved ones are invisible and it is something that we experience within ourselves, and the attempt to present it is very complex, fragile, tender and above all spiritual." - said the author Gordana Špoljar Andrašić on the eve of the exhibition opening.
Along with the author, the official part of the opening was also attended by Charge d'Affaires of the Croatian Embassy in London, Davor Ljubanović, who addressed the guests.
„Croatia will continue with all available means to search for the remaining missing persons and will never give up in its efforts. In this entire process, it is of crucial importance cooperation with the international organisations like International Committee of the Red Croass and International Committee for Missing Persons and other countries who support these efforts, (just to mention valuable political and financial support of the UK) or have the crucial information needed for a seccessful outcome.„ - said Mr Ljubanović in his speech at the exhibition opening.
The exhibition “Behind the Sky” highlights the horrific consequences of the aggression that befell Croatia in its struggle for independence, territorial integrity and hard-won democracy. The Croatian Homeland War (1991-1995) was a defensive war against the combined forces of Serbian expansionists, the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA), Serbia and Montenegro, whose aim was to gain control over the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
During this brutal conflict, Croatia suffered immeasurable loss of life, including the deaths of 402 children, the youngest of whom was just 6 months old, and the oldest was 18. The Republic of Croatia, through the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, is still searching for 1.771 missing and dead persons from the war whose fate or burial sites remain unknown. Among them are 18 unresolved cases of persons who were under the age of 18 at the time of their disappearance or death. Their families live in constant uncertainty, awaiting answers about the fate of their loved ones.
The Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Croatian Homeland War and the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja is a national holiday in Croatia, observed on November 18. This day is dedicated to all victims of the war, with a special emphasis on the tragedies in Vukovar and Škabrnja that have become symbols of suffering and resistance during the aggression against Croatia. It honours all missing persons, reminding us of those who lost their lives or disappeared during the war, as well as of the crimes against humanity and the gross violations of human rights that led to their disappearance.
The works of artist Gordana Špoljar Andrašić pay an emotional and poetic tribute to the victims, highlighting the tragedy of the missing persons from the Croatian Homeland War. Special attention is given to the portraits of the missing, whose eyes are covered with white tempera to protect their identities. This accentuates the sense of loss and anonymity while preserving their dignity. This visual element adds to the universal symbolism of war victims, creating distance between personal identity and the collective memory of suffering.
Depictions of children in the works, surrounded by complex and surreal textures, evoke innocence interrupted by the brutal events of war.
The exhibition pays tribute not only to the victims and the missing but also to the survivors, who bear the burden of memory, highlighting the importance of collective memory and international understanding of the suffering that has marked Croatia's modern history.
Art historian Patricija Andrašić gave a speech at the opening, presenting the artist's work.
The exhibition Behind the Sky is open to the public, the entry is free and it can be viewed at the D Contemporary gallery until March 29, 2025.
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"In my works, I tried to express something that is invisible, intangible and exists only in our spiritual world. That is why I use materials that are fragile, because all our thoughts about the disappearance of our loved ones are invisible and it is something that we experience within ourselves, and the attempt to present it is very complex, fragile, tender and above all spiritual." - said the author Gordana Špoljar Andrašić on the eve of the exhibition opening.
Along with the author, the official part of the opening was also attended by Charge d'Affaires of the Croatian Embassy in London, Davor Ljubanović, who addressed the guests.
„Croatia will continue with all available means to search for the remaining missing persons and will never give up in its efforts. In this entire process, it is of crucial importance cooperation with the international organisations like International Committee of the Red Croass and International Committee for Missing Persons and other countries who support these efforts, (just to mention valuable political and financial support of the UK) or have the crucial information needed for a seccessful outcome.„ - said Mr Ljubanović in his speech at the exhibition opening.
The exhibition “Behind the Sky” highlights the horrific consequences of the aggression that befell Croatia in its struggle for independence, territorial integrity and hard-won democracy. The Croatian Homeland War (1991-1995) was a defensive war against the combined forces of Serbian expansionists, the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA), Serbia and Montenegro, whose aim was to gain control over the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
During this brutal conflict, Croatia suffered immeasurable loss of life, including the deaths of 402 children, the youngest of whom was just 6 months old, and the oldest was 18. The Republic of Croatia, through the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, is still searching for 1.771 missing and dead persons from the war whose fate or burial sites remain unknown. Among them are 18 unresolved cases of persons who were under the age of 18 at the time of their disappearance or death. Their families live in constant uncertainty, awaiting answers about the fate of their loved ones.
The Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Croatian Homeland War and the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja is a national holiday in Croatia, observed on November 18. This day is dedicated to all victims of the war, with a special emphasis on the tragedies in Vukovar and Škabrnja that have become symbols of suffering and resistance during the aggression against Croatia. It honours all missing persons, reminding us of those who lost their lives or disappeared during the war, as well as of the crimes against humanity and the gross violations of human rights that led to their disappearance.
The works of artist Gordana Špoljar Andrašić pay an emotional and poetic tribute to the victims, highlighting the tragedy of the missing persons from the Croatian Homeland War. Special attention is given to the portraits of the missing, whose eyes are covered with white tempera to protect their identities. This accentuates the sense of loss and anonymity while preserving their dignity. This visual element adds to the universal symbolism of war victims, creating distance between personal identity and the collective memory of suffering.
Depictions of children in the works, surrounded by complex and surreal textures, evoke innocence interrupted by the brutal events of war.
The exhibition pays tribute not only to the victims and the missing but also to the survivors, who bear the burden of memory, highlighting the importance of collective memory and international understanding of the suffering that has marked Croatia's modern history.
Art historian Patricija Andrašić gave a speech at the opening, presenting the artist's work.
The exhibition Behind the Sky is open to the public, the entry is free and it can be viewed at the D Contemporary gallery until March 29, 2025.