Alen Kasumovic, mag.art
“Subtly comparing similarities and differences in being,
the author tells us what it is like to be in his shoes”
BIO
My name is Alen Kasumović [Kasumovich].
I was born on January 26th in 1991 in Zagreb, Croatia.
I was born with Arthrogryposis. It is described as congenital joint contracture.
I graduated at the Fine Arts Academy at the department of Animated Film and New Media in Zagreb, Croatia, in February 2018 in class of izv.prof. dr. sc, Ivana Keser.
BA at the Painting department at the same Academy, 2015 in class of professor Duje Jurić.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am an artist deeply intrigued by the human body's intricate relationship with perception, identity, and existence. This fascination arises from my personal experience with disability, which forms the basis of my unique perspective on self and others.
The body, a subject of universal curiosity, often remains underestimated, even though it shapes our very essence. My exploration delves into the nexus of identity, the physical realm, and personal authority, centering on the question: Do I possess the right to occupy this space, to exist, if you wish?
Embodiment extends beyond birth, encompassing our integration into society.
Through the prism of my experience, I examine how disability can marginalize personhood. Society's perception often reduces those with disabilities to objects, denying them the basic right to exist.
The bodies of those with disabilities are unjustly deemed lifeless, stripping them of their fundamental identity. This alienation challenges their place in the world and their right to be part of it.
This struggle against societal norms is a central theme in my work. I explore how the body becomes a marker of identity.
My art, particularly my exploration of "having" a different body, engages synthetic experiences that provoke reflections on embodiment.
My work resonates with the power of art to challenge societal norms and ignite contemplation. It is a testament to the human experience's depth and the role art plays in unraveling its complexities.
Exhibitions and Projects
Solo Exhibitions:
2023
“IN PRAISE OF CONFINEMENT” / City Library / Klanjec, Croatia
2022
"Do I have the Right to Be here?” / The branch of Matica hrvatska in Zaprešić / Zaprešić, Croatia
2015
“A View into my Everyday Life from the Perspective of Sitting” / Caffe &TD, Student Centre / Zagreb, Croatia
Group exhibitions:
2023
Jogja International Disability Arts Biennale 2023 / R.J. Katamsi Gallery / Yogyakarta, Indonezija
SWISSARTEXPO Zurich 5.0 / SBB Event Hall / Zurich, Švicarska
2022
ARTBOX.PROJECT Venice 1.0 / Tana Art Space / Venice, Italy
2021
Jogja International Disability Arts Biennale 2021 / R.J. Katamsi Gallery / Yogyakarta, Indonesia
All Faces of Croatia / Home of Culture / Nova Gradiška, Croatia
SWISSARTEXPO / SBB Event Hall / Zurich, Switzerland
2020
Virtual Exhibition of Artists of Croatian Association of Artists (HDLU), 2020. “Digital Art”
Virtual Exhibition of Artist of Croatian Association of Artist (HDLU), 2020. The “Challenge of Freedom”
2019
SWISSARTEXPO - The Walk of Art / SBB Event Hall / Zurich, Switzerland
One Self / 66th Floor of the One World Trade Center / New York
2018
The Art of Creation / Patchogue Arts Council / New York
Labour Day Incubator: “I am...” / Decumanus Gallery / Krk, Croatia
The Artbox.Project New York 1.0 / Armory Artweeks / Art Quartier Chelsea / New York
2017
The Artbox.Project Basel 1.0, / Euroairport Basel / Basel, Swiss side
2016
12th Erste Fragments / Kranjcar Gallery / Zagreb, Croatia
Body and Soul / ESSL Museum / Klosterneuburg, Austria
2015
Student Biennale of Photography / Novi Sad, Serbia
Diversity of Voices / ESSL MUSEUM / Klosterneuburg, Austria
1st Student Biennale, 'Selfportarit' / Gallery Waldinger / Osijek, Croatia
ESSL ART AWARD CEE 2015, 'Nominees' Night / “NO” Gallery - Museum of Contemporary Arts / Zagreb, Croatia
2014
32nd Youth Salon, ‘Venientes’ / Ring Gallery - HDLU / Zagreb, Croatia
2011
6th Biennale Zapresic of Watercolour / RAZVID Gallery - POU / Zapresic, Croatia
Awards and Acknowledgements
Medal of the city of Zaprešić for artistic contribution and achievements, Zaprešić, Croatia, 2022
12. Erste Fragments, Kranjcar Gallery, Zagreb, Croatia, 2016
'Collector's Invitation - ESSL ART AWARD CEE 2015' – Museum of Contemporary Art, Zagreb, Croatia, 2015
Events / News
Virtual Exhibition of Artists of Croatian Association of Artists (HDLU), 2020. “Digital Art”
Virtual Exhibition of Artist of Croatian Association of Artist (HDLU), 2020. The Challenge of Freedo
Virtual Exhibition of Artist of Croatian Association of Artist (HDLU), 2020. The Challenge of Freedo
Virtual Exhibition of Artists of Croatian Accociation of Artists (HDLU), 2020.
“Digital Art”.
Link for more: https://likumzg.wordpress.com/virtualna-izlozba-clanova-i-prijatelja-hdlu-zagreb-umjetnost-u-digitalnom-dobu/
Virtual Exhibition of Artist of Croatian Association of Artist (HDLU), 2020. The Challenge of Freedo
Virtual Exhibition of Artist of Croatian Association of Artist (HDLU), 2020. The Challenge of Freedo
Virtual Exhibition of Artist of Croatian Association of Artist (HDLU), 2020. The Challenge of Freedo
Virtual Exhibition of Artist of Croatian Association of Artist (HDLU), 2020.
Link for more: https://likumzg.wordpress.com/virtualna-izlozba-umjetnika-okupljenih-oko-hdlu-zagreb-izazov-slobode/
From Different Perspective - Alen Kasumovic & Antonio Rendulic - December 3rd-10th - Zagreb
Virtual Exhibition of Artist of Croatian Association of Artist (HDLU), 2020. The Challenge of Freedo
From Different Perspective - Alen Kasumovic & Antonio Rendulic - December 3rd-10th - Zagreb
From Different Perspective was an exhibition held in Gallery of Faculty of Teacher Education in Zagreb, Croatia.
The exhibition was organized by Association IMAGINE and Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, Croatia.
Group Exhibition of Foot & Mouth Painters in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2018
Group Exhibition of Foot & Mouth Painters in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2018
Group Exhibition of Foot & Mouth Painters in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2018
The exhibition was held in Salus Gallery in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from November 5th to November 30th.
This was an exhibition of Croatian artists and members of the VDMFK.
The Art Of Creation - Patchogue Arts Council, New York
Group Exhibition of Foot & Mouth Painters in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2018
Group Exhibition of Foot & Mouth Painters in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2018
Patchogue Arts Council is excited to announce The Art of Creation, PAC’s first international exhibition curated by Bruna Justinić, art historian and independent curator – Croatia, John Cino, sculptor and curator Patchogue Arts Council – USA Beth Giacummo artist and Patchogue Arts Council Executive Director – USA.
The Exhibition was opened from September 8th till October 21st, 2018.
“Employer of the Year for Disabled People” Award for 2017
Group Exhibition of Foot & Mouth Painters in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2018
Labour Day Incubator: “I am...” at Decumanus Gallery, Creative Krk 2018
In 2018 Department for Expertise, Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of People with Disabilities, (ZOSI in Croatian), in cooperation with Ministry of Labor and Pension System re-launched the award for employers who pay special attention to employment of people with disabilities. Together with Croatian Association of People (SOIH in Croatian) with Disabilities, the Croatian Employment Service, the Croatian Employers' Association, the portal My Job and the Institute for Market Development.
The winners in each category were presented with plaques and paintings by Alen Kasumovic, an artist with disability.
Labour Day Incubator: “I am...” at Decumanus Gallery, Creative Krk 2018
Labour Day Incubator: “I am...” at Decumanus Gallery, Creative Krk 2018
Labour Day Incubator: “I am...” at Decumanus Gallery, Creative Krk 2018
The exhibition is organized as a part of the eighth „Prvomajski Inkubator“ / „Labour Day Incubator“ Festival, which celebrates Labour Day and deals with subjects that portray the current state of the job market, the economy, as well as the production and service sector, etc.
Out of eight hundred received artworks from fifty countries from around the globe, fifty-five have been chosen.
The Artbox.Project New York 1.0
Labour Day Incubator: “I am...” at Decumanus Gallery, Creative Krk 2018
The Artbox.Project New York 1.0
The Armory Art Weeks in New York are considered to be one of the most important art events in the international art market. Every year in March, artists, art collectors, gallery owners and many celebrities meet in New York during these days.
The ARTBOX. GALLERY has very good contacts in the New York art scene, where the ARTBOX. PROJECT is supported widely. The good connections have made it possible for the ARTBOX.GALLERY to rent a very well-known and renowned gallery for two weeks during the Armory Art Weeks in the most important art district of New York.
Masters Graduation
Labour Day Incubator: “I am...” at Decumanus Gallery, Creative Krk 2018
The Artbox.Project New York 1.0
I graduated in February 2018 at the Fine Arts Academy in Zagreb at the department of Animated Film and New Media.