In her address, Đuranović emphasized that Šumonja’s artistic expression combines classical painting techniques with elements of popular culture, creating rich visual narratives in the spirit of neo-expressionism.

“Recognizable for his vibrant colors, tactile surfaces, and distinctive drawing style, Šumonja explores themes of modern humanity—identity, alienation, consumerism, but also the inner world and memory.”

“His paintings balance between the serious and the ironic, between strategy and spontaneity,” Đuranović added. “Bojan Šumonja’s art does not offer clear answers but rather opens a space for reflection. In his dystopian landscapes, symbols of contemporary culture collide—cartoon characters, plastic objects, inscriptions like ‘Oh God I miss you too,’ skulls, and elements of waste. All of this creates a world in which, as the curator notes, ‘the boundaries between the real and the fictional are blurred—a world of the great Simulacrum.’”

Valentina Beg Deljanin, representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Montenegro, expressed her support for this cultural event, emphasizing her pleasure that the Museum of Contemporary Art of Montenegro is hosting the exhibition of one of Croatia’s most prominent contemporary artists. She noted that projects like this not only affirm the contemporary art scene but also highlight the excellent bilateral relations and cultural cooperation between Croatia and Montenegro.

Artist Bojan Šumonja thanked the Museum team for their exceptional professionalism and dedication during the preparation of the exhibition, stating that this project is among his most cherished in his career to date.

Bojan Šumonja (b. 1960, Pula) graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice and has had a prolific international career, with more than 100 solo and 200 group exhibitions across Europe and around the world. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Grand Prix at the 7th Painting Biennale of the Croatian Association of Artists (HDLU) in Zagreb.

The exhibition Phantom Bouquet will be open to the public until July 31, 2025.