Merima Smajlović — Artist CV
Born in: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Currently based in: United States
Currently based in: United States
Merima Smajlović is a visual artist born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, currently living and working in the United States. Her work explores themes of migration, memory, identity, and the female experience, shaped by her transnational life between two cultures.
Education and Early Career:
Immersed in the art world from a young age, inspired by painter Ibrahim Ljubović at age 12.
High School of Applied Arts, Sarajevo, BiH
Relocated to Germany at age 17, Studied sewing and fashion design, with focus on experimental materials (jute, leather), Mannheim, GER
Studied under the mentorship of renowned Bosnian artist Sead Hasanefendić while preparing for admission to the Academy of Fine Arts.
Graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts, Sarajevo with the multimedia project “Beauty de Cri.” Project link,
Mentors: Prof. Dr. Mladen Kolobarić, Amra Zulfikarpašić, Bojan Hadžihalilović, 2007, Sarajevo, BiH
Mentors: Prof. Dr. Mladen Kolobarić, Amra Zulfikarpašić, Bojan Hadžihalilović, 2007, Sarajevo, BiH
Artistic Journey (1997–2007):
Participated in numerous group exhibitions across Bosnia and Europe, including:
- In Search of Identity 1992–2002, Sarajevo Museum of Contemporary Art ARS AEVI, Sarajevo, BiH
- Art and Terrorism, City Gallery Bihać, BIH & Huizer Museum, NL
- One Person, Zenica City Museum, Zenica, BiH
- Models of Transformation, Youth Salon, Collegium Artisticum, Sarajevo, BiH
- Collaborated with Contemporary Art Center SCCA, PRO.BA, and Art Cinema KRITERION, Sarajevo BiH
- Designed the “Sonemus” poster, selected by Anur Hadžiomerspahić and Ajna Zlatar.
- Co-founded the artist collective "AKTUELNO" in 2002, advocating against the political and cultural establishment.
Participated in major festivals and art events including:
- Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF), Sarajevo, BiH
- Pitchwise Festival of Women’s Art and Activism, Sarajevo, BiH
- Sarajevska Zima, Sarajevo, BiH
- Futura Festival, Sarajevo, BiH
“United Moves” at Art Cinema KRITERION, Sarajevo, BiH
Fashion Week Sarajevo – Why Not?, Sarajevo, BiH
Corporate Career (2007–2019):
Served as chief graphic designer for JP Elektroprivreda BIH (Public Enterprise Electric Utility of Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Current Practice (2019–Present):
Since relocating to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2019, Merima has focused exclusively on visual and fine art, integrating elements of Bosnian cultural heritage with contemporary artistic practices. Her work investigates themes of migration, identity, memory, and the female experience through painting, mixed media, and installation.
She has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions across the United States, including "Celebrating the Sacred Feminine" and "Modes of Abstraction" at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts (2023), as well as online exhibitions such as "Love," "Spiritual Journey," "Inconnu," and "Femme to Femme" (2021-2022), with works featured on ARTSY and in galleries like bG Gallery, Santa Monica, CA (2019).
Participated in ArtPrize (Grand Rapids, MI), a major international art festival: I’M AN ARTIST (2023), Voyage de Sabur (2024).
Leads workshops and lectures in abstract and mixed media arts across Michigan. Actively contributes to the local arts community through collaborations with artists, curators, and community projects. Further collaborations and projects will be announced soon.
Selected Exhibitions and Projects (2024–2025):
“Balancing The Divine Feminine,” Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids, MI (May 2025)
“U-Create,” The Lowell Arts Member Exhibition, Lowell, MI (April 2025)
“Resolutions & Resilience,” Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids, MI (January 2025)
“Memories of My Journeys,” Sims Contemporary (online), Artsy.net (December 2024)
“BLACKOUT” 4th Annual National Art Exhibition, Ashton Gallery at Art on 30th Gallery, San Diego, CA (November 2024)
“Divine Feminine,” ArtPrize Festival, Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids, MI (September 2024)
AllArtWorks Foundation, DeVos Place Convention Center, Grand Rapids, MI (September 2024)
Festival of the Arts 2024 Regional Arts Competition, Grand Rapids, MI (May–June 2024)
"Let This Radicalize You…", The DAAC Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI (May 2024)
"Save the Planet, Save the People!!!", 106 Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI (May 2024)
38th Annual West Michigan Art Competition, Honorable Mention for Kiss of the Future, Lowell Arts Gallery, Lowell, MI (March–April 2024)
Annual Exhibition of ULUPUBiH, Collegium Artisticum, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (April 2024)
Art On Loop, New York (March 2024)
"The World is On Fire," 106 Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI (March 2024)
"More Than Our Hearts Can Bear," 106 Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI (February 2024)
Solo Exhibitions:
Beauty De Cry, Collegium Artisticum, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Architecture Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
OKC Abrašević, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Symbols of the Soul, Ludington Center for the Arts, Ludington, MI, USA
Collaborative Projects:
Dialogue of Souls (2025–ongoing)
A traveling exhibition co-created with artist Mary Jane Pories and curator Chris Protas (co-owner of AllArtWorks Viewing Studio), exploring themes of identity, resilience, and spirituality.
Venues: AllArtWorks Viewing Studio, Grand Rapids, MI (March 2025); 106 Gallery (Avenue for the Arts), Grand Rapids, MI (April 2025).
A traveling exhibition co-created with artist Mary Jane Pories and curator Chris Protas (co-owner of AllArtWorks Viewing Studio), exploring themes of identity, resilience, and spirituality.
Venues: AllArtWorks Viewing Studio, Grand Rapids, MI (March 2025); 106 Gallery (Avenue for the Arts), Grand Rapids, MI (April 2025).
Awards and Recognition:
HonorableHonorable Mention for Kiss of the Future, 38th Annual West Michigan Art Competition, 2024
Special Recognition – Excellent Use of Color for Urban Poetry, U-Create: Member Exhibition, LowellArts Gallery, 2025
Finalist, Pitch Night Motu Viget, for the collaborative project Dialogue of Souls / Voices in Color, 2025
Upcoming Projects:
Dialogue of Souls / Voices in Color – Multidisciplinary collaborative project combining visual art, sound, and installation to explore migration, identity, and cross-cultural dialogue, September 2025
Dialogue of Souls – Selected for exhibition at LowellArts Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI, May–July 2026
Current Status
Lives and works as a visual artist in Grand Rapids, MI, USA. Continues to explore cultural heritage and women's psychology through vibrant, thought-provoking art.
Memberships
Member, ULUPUBiH – Association of Applied Artists and Designers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, since 2007
Member, Ludington Area Center for the Arts, since 2023
Member, Women’s City Club of Grand Rapids, since 2024
Member, LowellArts, since 2025
Languages
Bosnian (native), English (fluent), German (intermediate)