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 People
visiting Gordana Bjelic-Rados don’t tend to have problems finding
her cottage on the outskirts of Stevenage – she’s painted
giant sunflowers on the roof and walls. Indeed Gordana’s house
is so prominent that pilots are said to use it as a marker as they
approach Luton Airport!
Gordana was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, but spent most of her
formative years in the former Yugoslavia before returning to the
UK. After graduating from the University of Hull in 1986 she trained
as a social worker, but with a heavy caseload she became ill with
stress. The final straw came when her house was gutted by fire.
It was the turning point that made her decide to give up her job
and become an artist.
Since then she’s finished more than 3,000 paintings, travelled
around the world twice and caught the attention of the national
media. Although Stevenage Council supports her unique approach to
home decorating, her work did upset the neighbours – so much
so that the case was referred to Julian Clary, who listened to both
sides of the argument on his BBC programme All Rise for Julian Clary.
Gordana’s defence witnesses included a pilot who regularly
flies into Luton. He pointed out how welcoming and warming the sunflowers
are for people coming into the airport, and Gordana was duly found
innocent of all ‘charges’.
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Since
becoming an artist, Gordana has had her work displayed in exhibitions
throughout the country and overseas. Two years ago she gained a
top award in the Artist and Young Artist of the Year competition,
beating 3,400 artists from 24 countries to be named Best Professional
in the Abstract or Experimental category.