About The Author

I am a Croatian-Canadian artist based out of Vancouver. As a Croatian refugee who settled in Canada when I was very young, I’ve always considered myself an outsider - from both Canadian and Croatian culture. What once was a source of tension and discomfort in my life, has now become a point of pride in the way I live and create. Existing in this liminal space has allowed me to follow my own tastes and passions, crossing barriers, and finding interest in what others may overlook or disregard.

Identity is a foremost concern in my work. I like to explore the legacy of post-war trauma in my life, how that has impacted my upbringing, worldview, and how I relate to others. The very concept of culture has always been a puzzle to me, lacking connection to my own heritage and way of life; I adapted my patchwork of a cultural identity from a rapidly modernizing world. Initially raising myself on western pop and internet cultures, after traveling abroad across Asia, I uncovered a deep love and appreciation for Japanese anime and manga, as well as Dharmic philosophies.

My practice engages with the contemporary Japanese art movement of Superflat. After reading Takashi Murakami's seminal book on the subject, "Little Boy," I was able to understand and find connections between the historical context for the creation of anime and manga, and my own history of post-war trauma. My work explores this connection.