"Make Bosnia Sexy Again" serves as both the title of the project and my first solo exhibition in Bosnia and Herzegovina, commissioned by Vagon Gallery in Banja Luka. This project takes the form of a pseudo-documentary show, in which I adopt the persona of Miss Diaspora, a title I've bestowed upon myself. Miss Diaspora, originally hailing from Canada, is compelled to make her first-ever visit to her roots in Bosnia after winning this prestigious title. As Miss Diaspora, I embark on a journey through diverse narratives, delving into our desires for the places we call home, our places of upbringing, and sometimes, the places we leave behind. The overarching goal is to uncover how we can "Make Bosnia Sexy Again."


The inspiration for this work originates in beauty pageants, known for their requirement that women, in addition to exceptional physical beauty, must also exhibit thoughtfulness while responding to profound philosophical questions. By juxtaposing this unattainable ideal with the diaspora culture prevalent in the Balkans, I engage with relevant questions surrounding emigration, living standards, and universal human needs. To communicate these complex phenomena I communicated with random passersby in various Bosnian cities, including Banja Luka, Drvar, Bihac, Sarajevo, and Visoko.


As someone with roots in Bosnia and Herzegovina while living within the dynamic space between the Balkans and the diaspora, my work, "Make Bosnia Sexy Again," serves as a means to explore my internalized emotions related to my heritage, and of course, having a good time along the way.



Exhibition Photos: Dalibor Danilović