Katija Bogdanic

Statement

Katija Bogdanić experiments with a combination of unconventional acrylic materials that allows her to paint sculpturally onto the canvas. This unique impasto technique is embedded with playful desaturates while utilizing gestural movements. Through the abstracted representations of caves, houses, and openings, the artist depicts a narrative of inhabiting liminality. Evolutions towards forming a physical and psychological sense of belonging are the fundamental concepts of her creative process. These deeply enigmatic periods of in-between space, transition, uncertainty, displacement, or relocation are vital moments for transformation.

Caves are depicted in the work as a universal, existential metaphor to represent the space of adaptation. There is an ambiguity to a cave’s symbolic implications, whether it’s a shelter, house, form of survival, or an opportunity to explore the unknown. In this way the paintings not only push the boundaries of dimensionality but also the extent to be explicit in nature. That which is not immediately apprehensible allows a level of tolerance and vulnerability.

GlogauAIR Project

As a cross-cultural artist, I have been interested in the liminal space between a foreign place and somewhere called home. This evolution, or process of adapting is something I became familiar with when I recently moved back to my home country as a foreigner. Since I have never felt fully American nor Croatian, home is constantly evading definition. I have found my sense of belonging in this liminal space.

I am interested in expanding my symbolism and research into more ephemeral realms of this in-between space. Creating in Berlin will offer me a unique third space that is beyond my familiarity. Going deeper into a period of liminality will promote the growth of new ideas as well as a unique community of connection and valuable feedback.

Painting and Sculpture

CV Summary

Education

• 2022 Higher Education Teaching Certificate, Harvard Bok Center for Teaching and Learning
• 2019-2021 Masters of Fine Art, Painting, Academy of Fine Arts, Zagreb, Croatia
• 2016-2019 Bachelor of Fine Art in Craft, Painting, Oregon College of Art and Craft Portland, Oregon
• 2013-2016 Completed Credits for a Bachelor’s Degree, University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
• 2012-2013 Completed Credits for a Bachelor’s Degree, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Group Shows

• 2021 Final Exhibition Thesis Show, Academy of Fine Arts, Zagreb, Croatia
• 2019 Untitled No 112, Disjecta Contemporary Art Center, Portland, Oregon
• 2018 Oregon College of Art and Craft Student Juried Show, Hoffman Gallery, Portland, Oregon (Juror: Melanie Flood, Jeanine Jablonski, Maya Vivas)
• 2017 Put A Word On It, Centrum Gallery at Oregon College of Art and Craft, Portland (Curator: Barb Tetenbaum)
• 2016 Ground Up, Vollum building, Oregon College of Art and Craft, Portland, Oregon

Solo Shows

• 7/2022 Prilagodbe: Između nepoznatog i doma, Sveti Jerolim Gallery, Stari Grad, Croatia
• 10/2022 Adaptation: Between a Foreign Place and Home, Sira Gallery, Zagreb, Croatia

Professional Experience

• 2021 – Present Private English Tutor
• 2022 Workshop Educator, Sira Gallery, Zagreb, Croatia
• 2022 Gallery Sitter, Sveti Jerolim Gallery, Stari Grad, Croatia
• 2020 Freelance Graphic Designer
• 2018-2019 Studio Assistant, Christine Bourdette, Portland, Oregon
• 2018-2019 Academic Note Taker, Student Services, Oregon College of Art and Craft, Portland, Oregon
• 2015 Art Therapy Intern, Autism for Champs, Waterloo, Iowa

Awards

• 2017 Juror’s Choice, Student Juried Exhibition, Hoffman Gallery, Portland Oregon
• 2016 Presidential Scholarship, Oregon College of Art and Craft

Publications

• Televizija Student, Kultura Nije Tortura, Zagreb, Croatia
• Youtube Video
• Voice Catcher, Portland Literary Journal, Oregon Voice Catcher

Gallery