ALEKSANDAR’S GALLERY IN BANJA LUKA - A PLACE WHERE ART BREAKS PREJUDICES

In the heart of Banja Luka, hidden from the city’s bustle, there is a place where coffee is more than a ritual and art is more than just a word. “Aleksandar’s Gallery” blurs the lines between an art gallery and a café, but also between the world of those who hear and those with hearing impairments.

PHOTO: Ljiljana Smiljanić

Its owner, Aleksandar Bošnjak, lost his hearing in childhood. Back then, he spent his days painting with watercolors, a passion that later led him to graduate from the Academy of Arts in Banja Luka. Life, however, took him in another direction, and he spent 14 years working an office job. During that time, he says, his life felt as if it had no color.

“One day, something changed in my mind. I decided to return to art and started using more colors than ever before. Until then, my palette had been modest. I went back to watercolors, like in my childhood, and after a year and a half of working in that technique, I felt the desire to open my own gallery,” Aleksandar explains.

The idea came from a simple but honest realization – visitors rarely stay in galleries for more than a few minutes. That is why Aleksandar decided to add something that naturally brings people together and keeps them there: good coffee. His dream became a reality with the support of the UDAS self-employment program for people with disabilities.

He also employed his friends Marko and Samir, who are deaf as well. Marko previously worked in a bakery.

“The experiences are positive. Some people write, some show what they want. Mostly, everything goes well. There are no problems,” Marko says, noting that each table has paper and pencils available for guests if needed. Visitors confirm that ordering is not an issue.

“I noticed he had a speech impairment, but he understood everything without any problems. He brought us exactly what we ordered. Later I saw there was paper and a pen on the table in case we needed to write, but it wasn’t necessary,” said Velimir, who visited the gallery for the first time.

Aleksandar designed the interior as a smoke-free space, while also expanding the offer for both guests and fellow artists. All displayed artworks are available for purchase, and the gallery also offers framing services.

“I needed to frame around 200 of my works. When I calculated the costs, it would take between 50 and 100 KM per painting. Even framing just 50 watercolor pieces would be a significant expense,” Aleksandar explains, adding that this led him to include framing as part of the gallery’s services.

He also realized that quality art materials are not easily available in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so he began sourcing them from various European countries. Today, the gallery also functions as a shop where artists can find high-quality paints, brushes, paper, and other supplies.

In addition, the gallery is open to other artists who wish to exhibit their work, and plans are underway to organize art workshops, further strengthening its role as a creative and inclusive community space.

Author: Ljiljana Smiljanić