Merima Smajlović — Artist CV
Birthplace
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Education and Early Career:
Immersed in the art world from a young age, inspired by painter Ibrahim Ljubović at age 12.
Attended the High School of Applied Arts in Sarajevo; education interrupted by the siege of Sarajevo.
Relocated to Germany at age 16, studied sewing and fashion design, known for innovative use of materials such as jute and leather.
Prepared for the Academy of Fine Arts under renowned Bosnian artist Sead Hasanefendić.
Graduated under mentorship of Prof. Dr. Mladen Kolobarić, Amra Zulfikarpašić, and Bojan Hadžihalilović with the multimedia project “Beauty de Cri.” Project link
Artistic Journey (1997–2007):
Participated in numerous group exhibitions across Bosnia and Europe.
Collaborated with Contemporary Art Center SCCA, PRO.BA, and Art Cinema KRITERION.
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.
Featured in "In Search of Identity 1992-2002" exhibition by Sarajevo Museum of Contemporary Art ARS AEVI.
Corporate Career (2007–2019):
Served as chief graphic designer for JP Elektroprivreda Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Current Practice (2019–Present):
Relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA in 2019, focusing exclusively on visual and fine art integrating Bosnian cultural heritage with contemporary expression.
Participated in ArtPrize 2023 (I’M AN ARTIST) and ArtPrize 2024 (Voyage de Sabur).
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:
Honorable Mention for Kiss of the Future at the 38th Annual West Michigan Art Competition, 2024.
Artistic Statement
My painting is a visual diary of life — a fusion of symbols, glyphs, and movement that explores identity, migration, and feminine strength. Drawing from Bosnian cultural heritage, especially the ancient Bosančica script, I reinterpret its glyphs as expressive visual elements, transforming language into form. Through contemporary techniques and multimedia approaches, I create works that bridge East and West, past and present, personal emotions and collective memory. As a 'perpetual migrant,' I see each glyph as a vessel of meaning — part symbol, part trace — through which stories are revived and identities reshaped.
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.