Academic painter Marko Kusmuk, who showcases his work in prestigious European galleries, took his first artistic steps in Pale. His family and the town where he grew up, and which he fondly returns to, shaped his value system and outlook on life.
“That epicenter of warmth, kindness, and love exists there in a spontaneous way. To me, a small community has more advantages than disadvantages. It changes how you view others; you enter foreign environments with your own customs, manners, and perspectives,” Kusmuk told Srna. He completed the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo, earned his master’s degree in Rome, and finished doctoral artistic studies at the Faculty of Arts and Design in Belgrade, where he lives and creates.
In September, Kusmuk organized the “Termag Art” festival on Jahorina with his friends, bringing together outstanding artists from four countries. The event was well received.
“We plan to do it again this year, aiming to establish a tradition. I’m glad to see something artistic happening there. We’ll try to align it with the Sarajevo Film Festival. Each year, it will become more significant,” Kusmuk stated.
His schedule for the first half of 2025 is already full, primarily featuring exhibitions in Germany, although he also aims to participate in regional exhibitions.
“In late December 2024, I had an exhibition in North Macedonia presenting works from the Osten Museum collection. Osten boasts an impressive collection of works by the world’s most significant artists. They have 20 of Picasso’s paintings, so my works were showcased alongside those of Picasso and Marina Abramović. This exhibition will now tour Europe,” Kusmuk explained.
He says he no longer keeps count of the awards he’s received, but vividly remembers his first. As a high school student in Pale, he won a prize in an art competition in Celje, which included participants from across Yugoslavia. Particularly influential on his career were the Vladimir Veličković Niš Art Foundation award and a prize commemorating 100 years of the Association of Fine Artists of Serbia.
“Now I’ve stepped back from the administrative side of things because galleries handle promotions, the transport of works, and related activities. I’m focused on my studio, painting, and dedicating myself to creation,” Kusmuk said.
At the heart of Kusmuk’s figurative painting lies a focus on humans and their emotions.
“All my figurative works depict figures without gravity—they float in space. However much I try to explain it, it’s challenging to describe what I see,” said Kusmuk, who was introduced to painting by his father, Zoran, also a renowned artist.
He noted that the artistic tradition continues in his family, as his children, 12-year-old Saša and 8-year-old Anika, show talent for painting.
“When Saša was little, he always felt the need to create, and the results were promising. When he was around three years old, my father, Saša, and I organized an exhibition called ‘Three Plus 33 Plus 63.’ It was playful, but the feedback was excellent,” Kusmuk recounted.
Now a teenager, Saša has shifted interests, but Anika remains keen on drawing and has produced notable works.
Kusmuk emphasized the importance of nurturing children’s talents without interference.
“The key is to guide them if they show talent but avoid corrections until high school. Let them develop spontaneously and follow their interests,” he concluded.
Source: RTRS
