For the mural in Brussels, I decided to paint a herring fish. Why herring? Herring belongs to the group of blue fish and is related to “our” sardines.
We call sardines the “Queen of the Adriatic” because it has fed people on the coast for centuries. Croats have quite emotional relationship with sea and its life. Fish is an indispensable part of our culture but that is exactly what unites us. Because whoever lives by the sea lives for the sea and in this 2 days of working on the wall I can witness how Belgians reacts in the same emotional way. I heard about the old fish market and about the famous fish restaurants in the “neighborhood”.
I also use fish as a motive for freedom. Fish know no boundaries. The fish swims freely. In the past year, we have witnessed strict measures, isolation and inability to move. And it is precisely the mural of Bozko that reminds me of that – an isolated man in his contemplation. (Maybe I’m that man who looks at the sea and envies the fish for their freedom.)
And when we talk about freedom it’s important for me to say how I draw this mural directly on the wall. We decided about the colors and motif with the neighbors but now I’m drawing freehand, “from the head” using lines and natural shapes in the brick wall.