Irena Vasilj
Irena Vasilj’s art revolves around exploring imperfection as a catalyst for creative transformation, where failed graphic prints and discarded objects become the foundation for richly layered compositions. Drawing inspiration from street art, urban textures, and Dadaism, her artistic expression continuously evolves through playful experimentation with materials and techniques, often yielding surprising combinations.
By merging seemingly incompatible elements, she creates works that ignite dialogue and transcend traditional notions of painting, opening a space where interpretation moves freely. This freedom—embraced equally by creator and viewer—forms the essence of her philosophy, where meaning isn’t imposed but naturally emerges in the encounter between artwork and observer.
Short bio
Irena Vasilj (b. 1976) is an academic graphic artist, painter, and art educator working with collage, spatial collage, tape art, ready-made, and assemblage. She completed her formal education at the Center for Visual Arts Education, Zagreb in 1992, followed by a diploma from the Academy of Fine Arts at the University of Mostar.
Irena further developed her practice during her time at the prestigious School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York, where she participated in a residency program in 2009 and 2010 and held two solo exhibitions. Her experience in New York had a lasting impact on her artistic vision and her professional approach to art.
She has exhibited her work in numerous solo and group shows both in Croatia and abroad and has taken part in several art colonies. Irena is a member of several renowned art organizations, including HDLU Zagreb, HDLU Istra, the School of Visual Arts (New York, USA), and ULS–Association of Visual Artists Zaprešić. Alongside her artistic practice, she has extensive experience as an art educator.
Irena currently lives and works in Pula, Croatia.
Discover the art
Artist Year 2024–2025
Medium digital collage
Size 29.7cm (h) x 21 cm (w), 42 cm (h) x 29,7 cm (w)
Framed Yes
€ 475,00 – € 665,00
Artist Year 2023
Medium mixed media
Size 26 cm (h) x 25 cm (w)
Framed Yes
€ 1.055,00
Artist Year 2024
Medium mixed media
Size 23 cm (h) x 23 cm (w)
Framed Yes
€ 760,00
Irena Vasilj (1976) is an academic graphic artist, painter, and professor of visual arts, working primarily in collage, spatial collage, tape art, ready-made, and assemblage.
She pursued formal training at the Center for Visual Arts Education, Zagreb, earning her diploma in 1992. She later graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts at the University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, earning the title of Academic Graphic Artist/Painter and Professor of Visual Arts.
One of the most defining experiences in her career was her time at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York, where she participated in a residential program at Chelsea Studio in 2009 and 2010. Studying alongside some of the best professors and students from around the world, she successfully completed the program and earned official SVA certificates, which remain among her proudest achievements. During this time, she also held two solo exhibitions in the SVA art studio.
Her time in New York was a transformative period of learning and growth. Immersed in the city’s vibrant art scene, she drew inspiration from renowned institutions like MoMA, The Met, and the Guggenheim, while exploring galleries in Chelsea, SoHo, and the Hamptons. These experiences deeply shaped her artistic vision and professional understanding.
In addition to her own artistic practice, Irena has worked as a professor of visual arts in both private and state-run schools, teaching at elementary and high school levels.
Irena has exhibited her work extensively, with several solo and numerous group exhibitions in Croatia and internationally, and has also taken part in several art colonies. She is a member of multiple prestigious artistic organizations, including HDLU Zagreb (Croatian Association of Visual Artists, Zagreb), HDLU Istria (Croatian Association of Visual Artists, Istria), School of Visual Arts (New York, USA) and ULS–Association of Visual Artists Zaprešić.
She currently lives and works in the picturesque coastal town of Pula, Croatia. Surrounded by stunning ancient Roman architecture, she draws continuous inspiration from the city’s rich cultural and historical landscape.
2025 – “Otpad kao umjetnost”, HDLU Istre (Croatian Association of Artists Istria), Pula
2022 – Annual exhibition of HDLU (Croatian Association of Artists) Zagreb members, Dom HDLU Zagreb, Zagreb
2015 – 6th Triennial Exhibition “Pasionska baština”, Galerija MORH-a Zvonimir (Croatian Ministry of Defense’s Zvonimir Gallery), Zagreb
2015 – “EX‑TEMPORE”, Galerija Magistrat i Izložbeni prostor FO.VI2 u Mjesnom kazalištu (Magistrat Gallery and Exhibition Space FO.VI 2 in Ptuj City Theatre), Ptuj, Slovenia
2015 – “EX‑TEMPORE”, City Hall, Ptuj, Slovenia
2015 – Final Exhibition of the ZILIK Winter Art Colony, Galerija Zilik (Zilik Gallery), Karlovac
2014 – Christmas Exhibition of HULULK (Croatian Association of Artists and Art Critics) Members, Galerija Farof (Farof Gallery), Vugrovec
2014 – artOmat: “Artist Speed Dating”, Galerija Bačva (Bačva Gallery), Zagreb
2014 – 3rd Croatian Triennial of Self-Portraits “Identiteti”, Galerija Prica (Prica Gallery), Samobor
2014 – 17th International Exhibition “MINIJATURE”, Galerija “Kuća Đure Jakšića” (Gallery “Kuća Đure Jakšića”), Belgrade, Serbia
2014 – 17th International Exhibition “MINIJATURE”, Kulturni centar Novog Sada (Cultural Center Novi Sad), Novi Sad, Serbia
2014 – “Suvremene likovne interpretacije. I. svjetskog rata”, group exhibition as part of the 9th Trash Film Festival, Gradski muzej Varaždin (City Museum Varaždin), Varaždin
2014 – Annual exhibition of HDLU (Croatian Association of Artists) Zagreb members, Dom HDLU Zagreb, Zagreb
2010 – “Open Studio Exhibition”, School of Visual Arts, Chelsea Gallery, New York, USA
2009 – “Rose Garden Benefit,” C.A.M. Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey
2009 – “Bijenale umjetnosti minijature BiH”, Bosanski kulturni centar – BKC (Bosnian Cultural Center), Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2009 – “Leptiri svih boja”, Gradska loža (City Loggia), Zadar
2009 – “Open Studio Exhibition”, School of Visual Arts, Chelsea Gallery, New York, USA
2008/09 – Croatian Triennial of Self-Portraits, Galerija Prica (Prica Gallery), Samobor
1992 – Exhibition of final works, Rokov perivoj, Zagreb
Her works can be found in private collections in Croatia (including the piece Old Bridge, created in 2009 for the President of the Republic of Croatia, Stjepan Mesić) and in Bosnia and Herzegovina (including the piece Portrait, dedicated to Pope Benedict XVI, created as part of her work at the International Private Gymnasium in Mostar).
2008 – Henkel Art.Award, award for artistic drawing
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