Ljubomir Ljuba Popović

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Ljubomir Ljuba Popović gained international recognition as a Serbian surrealist painter, celebrated for his provocative and unconventional subjects. In 1953, Ljuba Popović began his artistic journey at the Academy of Applied Arts, but his unique approach to painting, characterised by life-sized studies and peculiar oil paintings, led to his expulsion in 1957. With the support of Marko Čelebonović, he resumed his studies, graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts in 1959. Later, he embarked on a two-year specialised course with Milo Milunović. Ljuba Popović’s artistic awakening occurred during a 1959 visit to Paris, where he was captivated by a surrealism exhibition. In 1960, he founded the “Mediala” movement to explore themes of desire and fear. Settling in Paris in 1963, he gained recognition and support from numerous galleries and artists, more notably by the Thessa Herold's Gallery. His work, reminiscent of Dali’s, featured fantastical scenes filled with both unsettling and enticing elements, as noted in a 1970 review by Mandiargues. Ljuba Popović's international career included numerous solo and group exhibitions in cities like Paris, Brussels, New York, and Geneva. Notable exhibitions were held in Paris in 1964 and 1966, at Galerie Edouard Smith and Galerie Diderot respectively. In 1971 his works were displayed at Galerie Isy Brachot in Brussels, featuring a catalogue prefaced by René de Solier. In the 1970s, Ljuba Popović had several exhibitions, among which the most notable the ones at Galerie de Seine in Paris in 1971 and 1972, highlighted by the presentation of large formats and catalogues featuring texts by renowned figures like André Pieyre de Mandiargues and d’Etiemble. Ljuba Popović’s international reach extended to New York in 1974 when Aberbach Fine Art hosted an exhibition featuring his works. In the late 20th century and beyond, Ljuba Popović’s exhibitions in various locations, including Belgium, Switzerland, and Serbia, cemented his status as an influential artist. Ljuba Popović's artistic path continued well into the 21st century, demonstrating the enduring impact of his work. Thirteen art monographs were released, notably in 1980 by the New York publishing house Alpine Fine Arts and 2003 by the Paris House of Cercle d’Art. A documentary film about his art, “L’amour monstre de tous les temps”, was released in 1978 by Walerian Borowczyk. Ljuba Popović had a significant influence in his home country, where his endeavour resulted in the formation of the Modern Gallery Valjevo. Notably, Ljuba declined official awards, including the French Legion of Honor, preferring to be recognized for his art’s inclusion in the world’s most prestigious surrealism collection owned by Daniel Filipaki. Ljuba Popović passed away in 2016 in Belgrade.