Unique. Handmade. Timeless.
About the Atelier
Renome Arte is a sculpting atelier founded by Sanja (1989) and Aleksandar Brzaković (1988) from Belgrade. Their shared passion for artistic creation is expressed through working with clay, which they have been dedicated to since 2018. By equipping their own studio, they formalized their artistic practice and devoted themselves entirely to sculpture. Over the past seven years, they have specialized in creating figurative ceramic sculptures.
Themes of human character and facial expression are an inexhaustible source of inspiration for Sanja and Aleksandar. Their artistic practice is recognizable through the series "Heroes of the Modern Age," which explores the strength, morality, and courage of contemporary individuals — qualities they believe protect the world from losing its humanity.
The expressive, sometimes stern or even almost intimidating physiognomies of their sculptures arise from the desire to portray the complexity of human temperament and inner strength. The face, as the central motif, reflects emotion and a moment — a “captured" expression revealing what words cannot. In the contrast between the power of male characters and the individuality of female identities lies the essence of their artistic message.
Identity
In this atelier, form and emotion meet in an intuitive, contemporary expression.
Founded by Sanja and Aleksandar Brzaković, the studio represents a space for joint exploration of material, expressive boundaries, and the power of contrasts. Their creative process is based on a fusion of experimentation and feeling, where clay becomes a medium of introspection and dialogue between the artist and the observer. Each sculpture is shaped as part of a shared artistic language — sincere, sensitive, and contemporary.
From Idea to Form
The process of creating each sculpture begins with an idea — often intuitive, stemming from emotion or an inner impulse. This initial concept develops through sketches and consideration of form and proportions until it finds its three-dimensional expression in clay. Each stage of the process represents a dialogue between the artist and the material, where the form gradually reveals itself and gains its unique character. Ceramic sculpture can be described as the art of three-dimensional shaping of raw earthy material, which then acquires its final form through thermal treatment.
Our Inspiration
Inspiration is a relative thing… what is lasting is self-awareness, self-observation, and engaging with one’s own soul… on those subtle waves, much can be discovered… and that is where magic happens… In our own universe, we made clay the main star and decided to pour all our thoughts into it. Sculpture involves a tactility that is not only technical, but also emotional and introspective — the tactile experience of sculpting becomes a journey through touch.
The union with nature, working with raw natural materials, and creating in an authentic environment form the essence of our sculptural expression. As we like to say, our technique encompasses the four earthly elements: Earth, Water, Air (which brings drying), and Fire (which provides the heat necessary for firing). The fifth, indispensable element that drives every creation and symbolizes our connection to one another is Love.
The Face – A Fusion of Form and Emotion
The face defines our human identity and carries our emotions, making it a perfect subject for artistic exploration. It has fascinated people throughout history — from prehistoric cave drawings to the contemporary digital age.
We have experienced clay as a material and medium through which we express ourselves most fully, while the faces of men and women become the means through which we respond to the questions we ask — and to which, through sculpture, we find answers.
Busts do not portray only physical appearance, but also the inner world of individuals, deepening the experience and understanding of heroic nature. Each sculpture can prompt viewers to reflect on human nature, values, and aspirations, creating a dialogue that transcends time and space. The decision to focus on human figures significantly contributes to the richness and complexity of our artistic expression.
Who Are the Heroes?
Heroes of the Modern Age is the first unified title of the series of figurative sculptures. Often expressive, sometimes stern or even almost intimidating physiognomies reflect human strength and the complexity of temperament. The face becomes a medium for a “captured” emotion, portraying what words cannot convey.
The main theme of this series is the celebration of individuals who stand out through courage, humanity, and self-awareness. The sculptures depict their contribution to society and inspire viewers to reflect on values such as bravery, empathy, dedication, loyalty, honor, and integrity. Additionally, the motifs often include elements of modern life — symbols of progress and the struggle for justice — reflecting the complexity of contemporary society and the challenges we face.
Each sculpture carries a unique name that reflects its characteristics and the context in which it was created. These names enrich the experience and give observers a deeper understanding of the meaning and importance of the pieces. We realized that, through these names, we glorify the values we personally uphold — loyalty, honor, integrity, and courage. Each bust, whether male or female, is the result of personal introspection, connecting the tradition we respect with the world we belong to — the modern age.
For us, heroes are those who, without a cape or title, make the world a better place through their actions. It is from this belief that the overarching title of the series emerged: Heroes of the Modern Age.