MARKO ŠOŠIĆ

ARTIST

Dr. art. Marko Šošić (1975, Vinkovci) is a visual artist and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Education, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek.

He graduated in painting in 2001 from the Academy of Fine Arts in Široki Brijeg (University of Mostar), in the class of Professor Ante Kajinić. He received his PhD in Painting from the Academy of Fine Arts, University of Zagreb, under the mentorship of Professor Igor Rončević and Professor Marcel Bačić.

In his artistic practice, he continuously explores the phenomenon of the dream image — approaching it not through narrative interpretation, but as a painter engaging with a specific phenomenological state. The dream becomes a space of autonomy, beyond rational and socially conditioned readings — a realm of absolute inner freedom and creativity.

The human body in his work functions as a sign of psychological and existential tensions. Within a contemporary framework, he reinterprets elements of Baroque and Mannerist expression, constructing layered visual narratives. His compositions are marked by strong dramaturgy, pronounced corporeality, and a subtle tension between intimacy and public role.

Alongside large-scale figurative compositions, motifs of flowers and watercolor portraits occupy a significant place in his oeuvre. Unlike his complex figurative paintings, these watercolors are created rapidly, on site. Both botanical and human portraits emerge as symbols of transience, fragility, and moments of inner stillness.

Nature represents an essential source of artistic inspiration and personal balance — a space of regeneration and a fundamental point of return to painterly authenticity.

He has exhibited in 23 solo exhibitions and more than 50 group exhibitions in Croatia and internationally.

EDUCATOR

He is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Education, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, with more than 25 years of direct experience working with children and young people in the field of visual arts. His pedagogical work is grounded in the integration of his own artistic practice with research-based teaching and practical engagement, with the aim of empowering future educators and increasing the visibility of children's artistic expression within the community.

He is the author of the university textbook Visual Arts Education and Art Techniques (2019) and co-founder of the international exhibition platform AEXPO, which connects teachers and students of faculties of education through artistic production and dialogue on contemporary education.

Since 2018, he has led the Art Workshop of the St. Ana Children's Home in Vinkovci, where invited artists and art educators collaborate with children and jointly exhibit the resulting works.

Since 2025, he has served as President of the Croatian InSEA (International Society for Education Through Art).

Throughout his professional work, he consistently interweaves art and pedagogy, understanding them as mutually permeating spaces of personal and social transformation.

EXHIBITIONS

Solo Exhibitions

2024
Hallo, Orion! — City Museum Vinkovci, Telephone Gallery, Vinkovci

2023
Ljubav // Love — Knin Museum, Knin

2022
Under the Light of the Willow — Gallery Vrba, Široki Brijeg (BiH)
The Body as Destiny — Gallery Fonticus, Grožnjan

2021
18+ — Art Zagreb, Technical Museum Nikola Tesla, Zagreb

2020
Salon Postisolationis — City Museum Vukovar, Oranžerija Gallery

2019
Toccatas and Fugues — Ružić Gallery, Slavonski Brod

2017
Gallery Center Varaždin

2016
Fragments — Museum of Fine Arts, Osijek
Orion Somniator — Vučedol Culture Museum, Vukovar

2015
Doctoral Exhibition — Academy of Fine Arts, Zagreb
Doctoral Exhibition — Slavko Kopač Gallery, Vinkovci

2013
Vjekoslav Karas Gallery, Karlovac

2012
Guardians — Knjiga&Kava, Osijek
The Book of Dreams — Holy Trinity Gallery, Kastav

2011
Festival of Time — Lokvina Gallery, Kastav

2010
Gallery OK (K.U.N.S.), Rijeka

2009
Gymnasium, Kenzingen (Germany)
Klub Kulture, Križevci

2008
In Utero — City Museum Vinkovci (exhibition in the artist's home)
"Šimić Encounters," Grude (BiH)

2003
City Museum Vukovar — Eltz Castle

2002
City Museum Vinkovci
Matica Hrvatska Gallery, Vinkovci

Group Exhibitions (Selected)

2025
2nd International Portrait Triennial — Knin Museum, Knin
30th Anniversary Exhibition of the Art Workshop of the St. Ana Community Service Center — City Library, Vinkovci

2024
Distopia — Gallery Fonticus, Grožnjan

2024 – 2018
Art Workshop Exhibition, St. Ana Center — Slavko Kopač Gallery, Vinkovci

2022
16th International Miniature Biennial — Gornji Milanovac (Serbia)
AEXPO — International Online Exhibition
Perspective on Women — Trakya University, Edirne (Turkey)
1st International Portrait Triennial — Knin

2018
INES – International Academic Research Congress — Alanya (Turkey)
Rijeka Miniart — Bakar

2016 – 2010
International Exhibition Private and Public — Metković / Grude
23rd Slavonian Biennial — Audience Award for The Book of Dreams
EMEE 2012 — Opatija
Youth Salon — Zagreb
POSZT – Painters Competition — Pécs (Hungary)

2009 – 2000 (selected)
Recent Exhibition of HDLU Members — Zagreb
Professors Exhibit — Osijek
Collegium Artisticum — Sarajevo
18th Slavonian Biennial
Zvonimir Gallery — Solin
City Gallery Trogir
Ivana Sabolić Gallery — Koprivnica
Franciscan Gallery — Široki Brijeg

Artistic Initiatives and Projects

Co-founder of the Land Art Festival Slama (2006–2009), Lug, Baranja

Co-founder and visual identity designer of the DORF Documentary Rock Film Festival (2007–2013), Vinkovci

Member and exhibiting artist of Group 1999 (2006–2011)

Long-term exhibiting member of HADLU Vinkovci