Art has become a powerful ally in raising awareness about nature conservation in a world increasingly facing environmental challenges. Valentina Talijan, a visual artist from Smederevska Palanka, has found a way to merge creativity and activism, creating a unique concept that draws attention to endangered plant and animal species in Serbia. Her initiative, which began as an environmentally conscious brand, has evolved into a true non-profit artistic platform dedicated to nature conservation.
Valentina was deeply engaged with recycled materials during her studies, and her undergraduate and master’s projects carried a strong environmental message. Although she did not directly speak about environmental protection at the time, she consistently chose sustainable materials in her work. After graduating, she wanted to start an eco-business, but the path to achieving this was not easy.
In 2020, she launched the Instagram page – Umetnost cveta (Art Blooms), initially designed as a brand that promotes endangered plant species in Serbia through illustrations. However, the platform carried a broader symbolism. Besides highlighting the importance of preserving nature, it also emphasized the position of artists in society, often drawing parallels between their struggles and those of endangered plant species.
Through this page, Valentina brought together artists who illustrated rare and endangered plants, turning their works into prints, greeting cards, and other products. A portion of the proceeds went to charitable causes, primarily organizations dedicated to animal protection. After three years of work, Valentina decided to stop profiting from promoting endangered species. Still, she did not shut down the page – on the contrary, Umetnost cveta became a creative platform dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues.
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- Transformation From Waste to New Products
An Urgent Call for Nature Conservation
Serbia is home to rich flora and fauna, but many species are on the brink of extinction due to urbanization, pollution, and climate change. According to the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, there are 1,783 strictly protected wild species in the country. In comparison, an additional 860 species of wild animals, fungi, lichens, and plants fall under the protected category.
Valentina launched a unique ecological challenge concept on social media to raise awareness about the importance of protecting plant and animal species. Every week, artists receive a task to illustrate a specific endangered species, bringing public attention to often-overlooked environmental problems. Visual art serves as a gateway to further exploration, and this approach helps people absorb messages about nature conservation more easily.
A special focus has been placed on endangered species in Western Serbia, but Valentina emphasizes that this does not diminish the importance of other species in the country. Almost every part of Serbia contains biodiversity hotspots that are under serious threat, further highlighting the urgency of protecting natural ecosystems.
In addition to contributing to nature conservation, Umetnost cveta provides opportunities for young artists to gain recognition. Illustrators, painters, and designers participating in these challenges get the chance to present their work to an audience of over 7,000 people, which can support their professional development.
Prepared by Milena Maglovski
The story was published in the Energy portal Magazine CIRCULAR ECONOMY
