Merima Smajlovic is a Bosnian-American visual artist whose work explores identity, migration, memory, and the psychological resilience of women. Born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, her early creative development was disrupted by war. She studied at the High School of Applied Arts in Sarajevo, later continuing her education in Germany and completing her degree in Graphic Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo.
Her work blends traditional Bosnian motifs with contemporary visual languages, examining the complex intersections of personal and collective history. A transnational life shaped by conflict, exile, and reinvention has informed her introspective, multimedia approach to visual storytelling.
Since relocating to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2019, Merima has devoted herself fully to artmaking. Her work has been exhibited widely across the U.S. and Europe and is featured in collections, exhibitions, and festivals including ArtPrize, the West Michigan Art Competition, and bG Gallery in Santa Monica.
Through painting, mixed media, and installation, she examines themes of feminine spirituality, resistance, and cultural memory. She is a member of ULUPUBiH, the Ludington Area Center for the Arts, the Women’s City Club of Grand Rapids, and LowellArts.
For selected exhibitions, awards, and workshops, see her full Curriculum Vitae.
