A Life in Art
Born on December 12, 1956, in Danilovgrad, Montenegro, Željko Đurović showed an early talent for drawing and painting. He graduated from the Faculty of Applied Arts in Belgrade, where he also completed his postgraduate studies. His academic training laid a strong foundation for his lifelong exploration of abstract expressionism and visionary imagination. A member of ULUS and the international artist group “Libellule” from France, as well as the group “Fantastic 6,” Đurović’s artistic journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of creative freedom and a deep connection to the subconscious.
Over the course of his four-decade career, Đurović has held more than 30 solo exhibitions and participated in over 300 group shows across Europe. His work has been presented in galleries and cultural institutions from Belgrade to Switzerland, earning him a respected place among the leading figures of contemporary art.
Throughout his career, Đurović has received 12 prestigious awards, including the Grand Prix at the Biennale of Fantasy in Serbia and the Momo Kapor Foundation Award. His work has been recognized both nationally and internationally, cementing his legacy as a master of abstract expression.
His works are held in permanent collections of museums across Serbia, Switzerland, and beyond – including the National Museum of Belgrade and the International Museum of Fantastic Art at Château de Gruyères. His art is featured in over 32 publications, including the Serbian Encyclopedia and Lexikon der phantastischen Künstler.
A Journey Through Decades
From his first exhibition in 1980 to his latest works in 2026 – a visual journey through five decades of artistic vision.
The Formative Years
Graduated from the Faculty of Applied Arts in Belgrade. Held his first solo exhibitions and received his first awards, including the ``A. Tomašević`` Award for mosaic and the Award for Drawings at the VII Belgrade '85 Exhibition.
World Stage
First international exhibition in Venice (1994). Awarded the First Prize at the Biennale of Fine and Applied Arts of Serbia in Smederevo (1998) and the Special Jury Award from the M.C. Escher Foundation in the Netherlands (1999).
Worldwide Recognition
Exhibitions at Château de Gruyères in Switzerland, Grand Palais in Paris, and Chalk Farm Gallery in Santa Fe, USA. Featured in a BBC segment about his work and website in 2004.
New Horizons
Exhibitions held in Russia, the United States, and across Europe. Received the prestigious Momo Kapor Foundation Award for painting in 2016, further cementing his reputation as a leading figure in abstract art.
Now & Beyond
He continues to paint, to exhibit, to surprise. A solo exhibition at the Kolarac Foundation in Belgrade brings the latest chapter of his career to the public—a statement from an artist who has never stopped searching.Collection
Paintings
Between Myth, Eroticism, and the Fantastic
Kolarac Foundation Gallery, Belgrade
March 31 – May 9, 2026
This retrospective exhibition brought together 34 works from four decades of Željko Đurović’s career. As art historian Jasna Opavski writes in the catalogue: “Woman is the central axis of Đurović’s compositions. Around her, the chaotic world spirals.”
Awards & Distinctions
Throughout his forty-year career, Željko Đurović has received numerous national and international awards.
Contact
Pregrevica 2A, 11080 Zemun, Beograd, Srbija