Exhibition Opening: Matko Vekic - Ordinary People / Inner happenings The exhibited series of paintings by leading Croatian painter Matko Vekic is made up of unusual portraits, if we can call them that, entitled The Masks of God’s Image. The series comprises some portraits of human heads, some of which are literally hidden behind masks (diving masks, protective masks), faces hidden behind veils, sunglasses, or simply darkened. Behind the masks we can make out priests, doctors, soldiers, and the symbolism is further reinforced by the only clearly displayed face – that of the Mother of God. Matko Vekic - Untitled 1 (The Mask of God's Image Series) Original painting Oil and varnish on canvas Signed by the artist Size: 81 x 75 cm Matko Vekic - Untitled 2 (The Mask of God's Image Series) Original painting Oil and varnish on canvas Signed by the artist Size: 81 x 75 cm Matko Vekic - Untitled 3 (The Mask of God's Image Series) Original painting Oil and varnish on canvas Signed by the artist Size: 81 x 75 cm Even though a criticism of society is constantly present in Vekić’s works, rarely does it have a sharp edge. He does not want to shock the viewer but rather through a gradual process of understanding that what is shown to compel the viewer to think, on a kind of journey inward. The overlapping of different worlds, the infusion and parallel existences of the artistic and the non-artistic, the inner and the outer, the human and the non-human are constant themes of Matko Vekić’s artistic exploration. Although he clearly remains committed to the traditional medium of painting, he does not perceive it as something hermetic and set apart from contemporaneity and the impact of other media. Regardless of the themes and motifs that are in Vekić’s focus at a given moment, what is common to all his works is the fact that they are exceptionally strong artistic works in terms of technique. Vekić is an artist whose mastery over the space of the painting is absolute, freely building his expression through the use of rollers, stencils, while emphasizing the materiality of the painting process. That is why, however much the theme of his work is serious, the excitement and joy of the creation itself is always visible. Matko Vekic - Untitled 4 (The Mask of God's Image Series) Original painting Oil and varnish on canvas Signed by the artist Size: 81 x 75 cm Matko Vekic - Untitled 5 (The Mask of God's Image Series) Original painting Oil and varnish on canvas Signed by the artist Size: 81 x 75 cm Matko Vekic - Untitled 6 (The Mask of God's Image Series) Original painting Oil and varnish on canvas Signed by the artist Size: 81 x 75 cm About the artist: Matko Vekic was born 1970 in Zagreb. He graduated painting from the Zagreb Academy of Fine Arts in 1995. From 1996 to 1999 he worked as a teacher of drawing and painting at the Zagreb School of Applied Arts and Design. From 1999 to 2003 he worked at the Academy of Fine Arts in Široki Brijeg (University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina), first as a part- time assisting lecturer of painting, and later on as a senior- lecturer. Since 2007 he has been a senior lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb. He is a member of Croatian Association of Visual Artists and lives in Zagreb. Matko Vekic - Untitled 7 (The Mask of God's Image Series) Original painting Oil and varnish on canvas Signed by the artist Size: 81 x 75 cm Matko Vekic - Untitled 8 (The Mask of God's Image Series) Original painting Oil and varnish on canvas Signed by the artist Size: 81 x 75 cm Matko Vekic - Untitled 9 (The Mask of God's Image Series) Original painting Oil and varnish on canvas Signed by the artist Size: 81 x 75 cm Selected Solo Exhibitions 2013 Rijeka, Galerija Kortil, Magnetsko brema vremena / The Magnetic Burden of Time Poreč, Galerija Zuccato 2012 Zagreb, Galerija Kranjčar, Solo show 2010 Zagreb, HDLU Galerija Bačva, The cruelty of the circle Vicenza, Yvonneartecontemporanea, La gravita del tempo 2008 Zagreb, Gliptoteka HAZU, Symbol, sign, emblem, ornament and crime Rab, Galerija Knežev dvor, TV choice Zagreb, Mapa serigrafija Cages, Galerija Canvas 2007 Labin, Gradska galerija Labin Osijek, Galerija Kazamat Osijek Selected Group Exhibitions 2013 Leipzig, One-sided Story 2012 Zagreb, Lauba, Finalisti 2012. Zagreb, HAZU, XI.trijenale hrvatskog kiparstva Zagreb, Kabinet grafike HAZU, 4. Hrvatski trijenale grafike 2011 Zagreb, HDLU, 1. Biennale of painting Split, Galerija umjetnina, stalni postav 2010 Cairo, 12th Cairo Int. Biennale Berlin, Preview Berlin – The Emerging Art, Galerija Marisall Vicenza, Yvonneartecontemporanea, Selection 2010. Zagreb, HDLU, 45. Zagrebački salon Istambul, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Trans-Form in Art Education Sofija, Trans-Form in Art Education 2009 Venezia, 53. Int. Biennale, Dead in Venice or life trough 12 images Zagreb, Kabinet grafike HAZU, 3. Hrvatski trijenale grafike Zagreb, festival suvremene umjetnosti MAX ART FEST Metković, Otisci utisci, 100 grafičara Hrvatske i Bosne i Hercegovine 2008 Zagreb, Gliptoteka HAZU, 4. trijenale hrvatskog crteža Zagreb, festival suvremene umjetnosti MAX ART FEST Zagreb, HPB Grand Prix za slikarstvo 2008. 2006 Cairo,10th Cairo Int. Biennale Graz, Künstlerhaus, "Format" 5 Pieces Gallery is pleased to show these new works by outstanding Croatian artist Matko Vekic. The exhibition will run at www.5piecesgallery.com from today to October 15 2013. 10% off for 5 Pieces Gallery members. #fineartmagazine