18th Bugojan Biennale of Drawings

The exhibition "18th Bugojno Biennial of Drawings" will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Queen Katarina Kosača Gallery in the Croatian House of Herceg Stjepan Kosača with
starting at 7:30 p.m.

37 authors with around 60 works in different drawing techniques applied to the Biennale. 29 works were selected for the competitive category and exhibition.

When evaluating the works, the commission considered several value categories, which are: skill in performing the selected drawing technique, mastery of the artistic elements of composition, space, texture and the diversity of the line itself as the basic building block of the drawing, the thematic maturity of the works and the authenticity of the artistic expression.

The following artists stood out:

Grand Prix – Hazim Ćišić

Mario Šunjić, who masterfully combines the simplicity and essence of form with a minimalist approach to drawing a seascape, creating a strong atmosphere of the sea and rain. The artistic form prevails over details and descriptiveness, and the scene is reduced to basic shapes that evoke a rainy landscape while leaving room for interpretation. The dominance of uniform surfaces and shapes emphasizes the harmony and consistency between the recognizable elements of the landscape, while the subtle play of empty space contributes to a sense of calm and introspection. This minimalist landscape primarily invites the viewer to experience the atmosphere rather than just visually recognize it.

Second prize
Izet Alečković, the magic of drawing and the journey into the unknown. Looking at a drawing by Izet Alečović, we can notice that it is an authentic expressive expression. With a broad gesture, the artist reduces the drawing almost to a sign, although in that sign we notice a human drama experienced by man. In one broad, charged stroke, we see a human figure to which he gives a new subconscious anatomy, alluding to the transience of the body. The drawing, as a basic and original expression, is perhaps the most sincere artist's diary in which new experiences are recorded, new circles of experience are closed and opened.

Third prize
Alisa Teletović, where the greatest value of her work is the poetic, psychological and expressive characteristics of the work, which are reflected in the construction of a subtle and complex relationship between line and surface. Color is the bearer of the state instead of a formal description of the character's characteristics. The portrait is only a frame or occasion through which the artist introduces us to the intimate and emotional realm of being, overcoming the physiognomy of the face itself. He succeeds in opening up the classic theme of the portrait to many new meanings, thus activating the viewer to feel and think, rather than passively observe the work. Alisa is an artist who has a clearly formed and strong artistic expression.

Audience Award: Dejan Pranjković, Consular Times I, 33×33 cm, micro pen, 2023.

Exhibited works:

Nelisa Baždar-Together
Nedžad Begović-Sidran
Adnan Bešić-Bujice
Andrija Cvetković - Grandfather and honey brandy
Saliha Drinovac-Self-portrait
Antonio Džolan-Tornado lines
Marko Gido-Cyclist
Mujo Grbić-Modrac/1
Boris Hodak-MoonMan
Arijana Hodžić-Self-portrait III
Irfan Hozo-Untitled

Ilija Kegelj-Everyday Life II
Aleksandra Kozomara - Fatherly figure
Ema Livančić-Landscape Textures II
Ervin Mujabasic-Dim
Dalibor Nikolic-Djecak
Dragana Nujić-Vučković - On the way to where it's more beautiful
Danilo Pauković-Stalak
Dario Pehar - Self-portrait with a misdemeanor warrant on pink paper
Snežana Popović-Memory within a Memory II
Sanja Radujko-Mile
Husein Šljivo-Ona
Azra Subasic - Birds in flowers
Zeljko Mitrovic-Warrior
Emir Osmić-Architecture of Memory

The exhibition remains open until May 1, 2025.