Works on decorating space started where a museum dedicated to one of the most prominent Bosnian artists, Mersad Berber will be located.
The works will be phased in according to the design project of the renowned Bosnian Architect Zlatko Ugljen and the museum will be located in the city centre.
The City of Sarajevo and the Municipality of Stari Grad, headed by Ibrahim Hadzibajric, provided funds for the first phase, which will include a part of the construction, crafts, electrical installations, hydrostatic and mechanical works.
It will be a representative building, on two floors and over 450 square meters, located in Zelenih Beretki Street number 14, decorated as museums in Vienna, Barcelona and other European metropolises, with the rich and immense opus of Berber works.
“The City of Sarajevo will get another institution of culture, which will inherit the works of our great artist Mersad Berber. We bring him back to his Sarajevo, where he lived with his wife the most beautiful years,” said Mayor of Sarajevo, Abdulah Skaka, adding that this will enrich the tourist offer as well as promote Sarajevo in Europe.
Berber was born in Bosanski Petrovac, Kingdom of Yugoslavia. He trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ljubljana where he graduated with a BA and MA. In 1978, Berber received a teaching position at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo.Today Berber is one of the best known graphic artists in the world. He was included in the Tate Gallery collection in 1984.
Throughout his career he created cycles of paintings which chronicle events, homages and dedications. Each cycle has its roots in Bosnian-Herzegovinian history from the medieval to the twentieth century. His works are characterised by the intermingling of ancient motifs with a more modern commentary, captivating in their iconic mystery and intensity. His surfaces are as complex as his subjects, combining techniques from various times and places while maintaining an aesthetic and allure that has drawn collectors for the past 40 years.
Berber was occupied with painting, graphic art, tapestry, illustrating and preparing bibliographic editions, graphic and poetic maps. His scenography and costume design came to life in theatres in Ljubljana, Zagreb, Sarajevo and Washington. In 1985 Berber finished Tempo Secondo, his own animated cartoon.
From 1992 until his death in October 2012 Berber resided and worked in both Zagreb and Dubrovnik.
