Kuzma Kovačić
(1952)
For the Body, 1985
wood
88.5 x 49 x 45 cm
MG-4424

Kuzma Kovačić graduated in sculpture from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb in 1976 under Prof. Vjekoslav Rukljač, and studied glass processing in Murano. He is a full professor of sculpture at the Arts Academy of the University of Split.
Kovačić uses both conventional sculpture materials (such as wood, stone, bronze and oven bake clay) and unconventional sculpture materials (such as glass, brass, bronze, plaster, cardboard, plastic materials and numerous combinations of other creative materials), which he models into figurative and abstract sculptures of universal value. The forms he models are pure and simple, and their meaning is associative and symbolic. In terms of theme, Kovačić is firmly rooted in the Croatian literary tradition and the Bible. He has come up with unfettered postmodernist solutions for conventional sculpture themes, and has created many sacral and public sculptures and monuments, of which the following two stand out: the doors of the Cathedral of St. Stephen in the town of Hvar (1989) and the Homeland Altar on Medvedgrad above Zagreb (1994). He is the author of concept design solutions for several coins of Croatia’s currency (1993) and Croatian commemorative gold and silver coins (1994). He also makes medals, does stage and set designs, and graphic design.

Text: Tatijana Gareljić, museum consultant of the National Museum of Modern Art © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb
Translated by: Ana Janković
Photo: Goran Vranić © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb