The exhibition Dragonfly presents the latest phase in Hrvoje Marko Peruzović’s work, in which the beauty of the body and light merges with natural forms and fantastic transformations. In these works, the artist constructs his own mythological universe – a fusion of woman, angel, firefly, and dragonfly – a world in which opposites are reconciled and where painting becomes a true “search for the philosopher’s stone.”
At the center of the curatorial concept by Romina Peritz Körbler is the painting Dragonfly (2025), a work that uniquely encapsulates the poetics and artistic language of this artist. Elongated nudes in unusual, somewhat awkward poses, painted in bright, almost fluorescent colors that glow like neon, emerge from monochrome backgrounds of a distinctive turquoise-blue hue. Peruzović’s contemporary interpretation of the female body is accompanied by elements of surprise and unexpected combinations, adding insect wings or geometric signs to the figure, creating scenes that hover between the real and the fantastic.

The exhibition at the Josip Račić Gallery is open until November 30, and has been realized with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia and the City Office for Culture and Civil Society of the City of Zagreb. Sponsor: Croatian Post.

Artist's biography

Hrvoje Marko Peruzović, was born in 1971 in Zagreb. He studied in the Graphic Arts Department at the School of Applied Arts and Design in Split and earned a degree in painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb in 1995 (in the class of Prof. Ðuro Seder). He has studied in Paris, Milan, Venice, and Vienna, and is a member of HZSU, HULU Split, and DHK. In addition to painting, his artistic practice encompasses classical printmaking, illustration, sculpture, and photography. He has held approximately seventy solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows in Croatia and abroad. He has also taken part in many art colonies and charitable projects, and has completed several public sacred commissions. Writings on his work have been contributed by Josip Depolo, Ive Šimat Banov, Stanko Špoljarić, Tonko Maroević, Vladimir Rismondo Jr., Andro Filipić, Darko Schneider, Ðuro Vanđura, Iva Koerbler, Tonči Šitin, Nevenka Nekić, Vinicije Lupis, Anamarija Stibilj Šajn, Nives Marvin, Toni Horvatić, Vlasta Tolić, Mirela Duvnjak, Sanda Bajzek Stanačev, Elizabeta Wagner, Igor Brešan, Miona Muštra, Nela Žižić, Ante Žaja, and others. His works are held in numerous collections and museums in Croatia and abroad. He also writes poetry, aphorisms, and short essays on visual arts. He lives and works in Zagreb as a freelance artist.

Website: www.peruzovic.com

Reproductions:
(1) Hrvoje Marko Peruzović, Dragonfly I, 2023 / acrylic on canvas, 50 × 40 cm
(2) Hrvoje Marko Peruzović, Conjunctio, 2010 / acrylic on canvas, 80 × 120 cm
(3) Hrvoje Marko Peruzović, Dragonfly II, 2025 / acrylic on canvas, 200 × 150 cm
Photo: Hrvoje Marko Peruzović