National Museum of Modern Art is set to open its 2025 exhibition season at the Josip Račić Gallery with the exhibition “Jelena Bando and Marija Ujević Galetović – Intersections,” organised in collaboration with Nomad – Croatian Office for Contemporary Art. After their initial presentation at the Frank Gallery in Vienna in November 2024, the works of these two Zagreb-based artists, representing different generations, are brought together in dialogue once more – this time at the Josip Račić Gallery in Zagreb. The exhibition include medium-sized oil paintings from the recent series (2023–2024) by academic painter Jelena Bando, alongside the acrylic on canvas titled “Supermici” (2004) and the bronze sculpture “You Silly Goat” (2015) by academic sculptor Marija Ujević Galetović. The latter has been specially loaned from a private family collection for this occasion. Art historian and exhibition curator Jelena Tamindžija Donnart describes the work as encapsulating the essence of one of Croatia’s most prominent sculptors, reflecting humour, sculptural precision, and a thoughtful cultural and philosophical message characteristic of her work.
(...) By positioning the two artists in a dialogue across different media, generations, and approaches, the aim is to create a unique experience that brings the legacy of one of Croatia’s most prolific sculptors to the forefront. (…) – notes Jelena Tamindžija Donnart in the bilingual exhibition catalogue.
The exhibition will be on view at the Josip Račić Gallery from 10 January to 2 February 2025.
JELENA BANDO
Jelena Bando is an academic painter who graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb in 2012. She has participated in study visits and residencies in Germany (Würzburg, Berlin, Leipzig), France (Paris), and Croatia (Kuberton). She has held around twenty solo exhibitions in various institutions,
including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb, Oris-House of Architecture in Zagreb, Ravnikar Gallery in Ljubljana, Museum of Modern Art in Dubrovnik, Fritzi Palace - Lošinj Museum in Mali Lošinj, Ring Gallery in Zagreb, Juste Gallery in Stockholm (Sweden), VN Gallery in Zagreb, Bravo
Gallery in Zagreb, Galženica Gallery in Velika Gorica, Greta Gallery in Zagreb, Nouvel Organon Gallery in Paris (France),and Ungeheuer Gallery in Berlin (Germany). Jelena Bando has received two awards for drawing and graphic arts (SKC Gallery, Belgrade; 15th Biennial of Drawing, Belgrade). She lives and works in Zagreb, Croatia.
MARIJA UJEVIĆ GALETOVIĆ
Marija Ujević Galetović, born in 1933 in Zagreb, studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb, where she first obtained a degree in painting before pursuing further studies in sculpture. She made significant contributions to both sculpture and public art. In addition to paintings and graphic works, she also created sculptures that enriched public spaces. Among her most important public monuments are those dedicated to August Šenoa in Zagreb, Vlaho Paljetak in Zagreb, Miroslav Krleža in Opatija, Frane Petrić in Cres, Jakov Gotovac in Osor, Pope John Paul II in the Požega Cathedral crypt chapel,
and Juraj Križanić in Zagreb. These works are only a small selection of her vast body of work in sculpture and public art, which have significantly enriched Croatia’s cultural heritage. Her sculptures have become a vital part of the cultural landscape, noted for their originality, aesthetics, and profound cultural and philosophical messages. Her work continues to hold significance and remains an inspiration for new generations of artists, further enriching the nation’s cultural legacy.
Translated by Robertina Tomić
Images: 1 (left) (Exhibition Instalattion - Marija Ujević Galetović, Woman Goat, 2015 / bronze, 180 cm) Photo Goran Vranić © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb (right) Jelena Bando 74, 2024 (detail) oil on canvas / 180 × 130 cm / Photo: Damir Žižić
2 Jelena Bando, 105, 2024 (detalj) oil on canvas / 180 × 130 cm / Photo: Damir Žižić
3 (left) Jelena Bando, 51, 2024. / oil on canvas / 180 × 130 cm Photo: Damir Žižić (right) Jelena Bando 99a, 2024 / 99 a, 2024./ oil on canvas / 180 × 130 cm / Photo: Damir Žižić