Šime Perić
(1920 – 2019)
Sculpture I, 1986
wood; stain
72 x 43 x 34.5 cm
MG-8416
Šime Perić is considered one of the significant figures of Croatian modern and contemporary art, with a body of work that demonstrates exceptional diversity and expressive depth. He began his artistic education at the Academy of Applied Arts in Belgrade, graduating in 1952 under Professor Vasa Pomorišac. In 1949, during his studies, he spent a semester at the prestigious École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he focused on the study of fresco painting. These early experiences shaped his technical precision and spatial sensitivity, both of which would later strongly influence his sculptural practice.
After several years devoted to copying frescoes, Perić entered a prolific phase through his collaboration with the Master Workshop of Professor Krsto Hegedušić between 1952 and 1957. In 1957, he became a member of the Mart Group and later joined Gallery Forum in Zagreb in 1969, securing his place within the Croatian art scene. At the same time, he shared his artistic passion with younger generations as a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb, where he taught from 1969 to 1984, advancing from assistant professor to full professor.
What sets Perić apart from his contemporaries is his consistent pursuit of spatial structuring of dynamic forces within his paintings, alongside an exploration of formal possibilities in sculpture. Unlike his vividly chromatic paintings, his sculptural works are crafted from natural materials such as untreated, steamed, and bent wood. These sculptures are marked by reduced forms, masterful craftsmanship, and a clarity in the rhythmic organization of space.
A notable example is his Sculpture I from 1986, which embodies Perić’s ability to fuse restraint with movement. The piece features two highly polished, fluid forms that rise sinuously from a rectangular base, defying gravity and evoking a sense of elastic, organic energy. Through this work, Perić demonstrates how abstract painting can find its extension in sculpture, turning space itself into an active participant in artistic expression.
The mentioned sculpture by Šime Perić is currently on display as part of the exhibition "Contrasts" from the NMMU On Tour cycle at the City Museum of Nova Gradiška.
Text: Tatijana Gareljić, Museum Advisor, National Museum of Modern Art © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb
Photo: Goran Vranić © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb
