Rustempašić on the exhibition 'Senses': I counted 8,372 pebbles for one painting, tears just flowed

By: A. Vrabac

The exhibition "Senses" by author Irfan Rustempašić was opened today at the Hadžihalilović villa in Dobrinja. Although he is not an academic painter but a self-taught enthusiast of this type of art, the works from the exhibition "Senses" are themed around the genocide in Srebrenica, and this year marks the 26th anniversary of the genocide. The exhibition was opened with a performance by Šejma Kolar, a student from the primary school "Osman Nuri Hadžić," who played the cello, and she wishes to accompany Rustempašić at other venues where the exhibition will be displayed.

In a conversation with Patria, the author reveals that he has been working on this exhibition for the past year, wanting to contribute to the remembrance of the genocide and the victims of Srebrenica.

"I have been working on this project for the last year, and I have managed to create eight paintings. I still have ideas that I haven't realized yet, but in the future, I plan to create similar themes regarding Višegrad, Prijedor, and all the places of suffering that are important for us Bosniaks to remember and to pass on the knowledge to younger generations," says the author.

Rustempašić exclusively uses small pebbles in creating his works. The white tombstones in Potočari, on the graves of the victims, are a reminder of the most horrific crime of genocide.

Šejma Kolar accompanied the author with her cello performance

He says he sees the symbolism of the stones he uses in the weight of the crime that occurred.

"I wanted to translate the weight of the stone into the weight of the crime. I think I succeeded. But the best critique comes from people who see the paintings. The stones create a 3D effect, and what we cannot convey with other painting techniques, you get the feeling that the paintings are 'alive'."

One of the paintings from the exhibition "Senses" contains exactly 8,372 pebbles. Rustempašić says it took him two days, with certain breaks, to carefully count each stone so as not to add or subtract from the number.

"I counted exactly 8,372 pebbles. It wasn't difficult for me to count, but only when I started counting did I realize how many people that was, tears flowed from me at that moment," said Rustempašić.

He emphasizes that he is meticulous in every job he does, including creating his paintings.

"The paintings were created in moments of my inspiration, usually at night. When everyone is asleep, I feel that the moment is made for me. Sometimes I do as much as I can, as much as I have the strength, depending on my obligations. I stay up creating my works, and then I catch up on sleep," says this geography professor.

One of the paintings also features the last message of journalist Nino Ćatić from Srebrenica, sent on July 10, 1995, and his remains have never been found. His mother, Hajra Ćatić, last saw her son on July 11, 1995.

Each pebble is placed by hand with tweezers, and before that, the board and glue are prepared into which the pebbles are pressed. The process of creating one painting is extremely long and requires great concentration.

The exhibition "Senses" will be displayed at several more locations in Sarajevo in the coming period, and possibly in other cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The author reveals that he wishes for younger generations to visit this exhibition as well, so that the truth about the genocide can be spread, because, as he says, he is afraid that young people are forgetting important dates and events from our history."