Mia Markušić: Art as a reflection of memory, space and emotions

In February, Lauba hosted the exhibition "Above the Island" by young artist Mia Markušić as part of the Send It Forward program. Through paintings and sculptures, Mia explored the connection between memory, nature, and introspection, transferring onto canvas and into space the atmosphere of the island of Rab and the summer moments that shaped it. Her works balance between figuration and abstraction, and the transition from two-dimensional to three-dimensional expression opens up a new layer of her artistic exploration.

Find out below how Mia experienced this, what inspired her the most, and what her plans are for the future.

Mia Markusic

Your exhibition "Above the Island" in Lauba is now behind you. How did you experience that ?

I feel extremely satisfied. In such a short time, we managed to set up a quality exhibition, and the number of visitors was greater than I expected. I hope that the entire evening will remain in the memory of everyone who attended the opening. The works that I presented are very important to me because of my different approach to painting itself, and I am happy that they had the opportunity to be visible to a wider audience.

Rush!, polyurethane foam and acrylic, 2025.

Is there any work from this series that you are particularly fond of or that carries a deeper story?

Each work carries its own special story and each is important to me. However, if I had to single out one, it would be the works “Brother and Sister”. I have been repeating this motif for a long time because I believe that family relationships, no matter how complex they are, carry the deepest emotions. The relationship between a brother and sister is particularly tender and sensitive, and I tried to portray this in my works.

Brother and Sister, oil on panel, 2024.

Do you have any specific artists or styles that have influenced your way of expressing yourself?

Yes, there are several artists whose work has a strong influence on my way of expressing myself. I am currently drawn to the works of Tracey Emin, whose style I find very interesting, but I also follow John Mitchell, Georg Baselitz, Anselm Kiefer and other artists of the older generation. I am currently interested in a gestural approach to painting, as well as the way in which the background can shape the work itself.

Jump, oil on panel, 2024.

You presented paintings and sculptures at the exhibition. How do you experience this transition from two-dimensional to three-dimensional expression?

I chose works that balance between painting and sculpture, because I like to explore the boundaries between these two media. It is always a challenge and an interest for me to move from one medium to another, because each of them has its own specific possibilities. I have wanted to see the paintings I have been making for some time in an exhibition space like this, which supports both certain formats and expression in multiple media. Creating sculptures came naturally to me, and I would like to continue to combine these two art forms in the future. I consider sculptures to be “children” with whom I can talk and play, while paintings reflect my inner self.

Catch that ball, foam and acrylic, 2024.

After this experience, do you see a new direction in your creativity?

Yes, definitely. I was particularly intrigued by the brick wall at the exhibition, which contributed to the impression of my works. This made me think about the spaces I would like to exhibit in the future, as well as how the background could affect the perception of the works. Although white walls dominate in galleries, in the future I would like to think about alternative spaces and backgrounds that would contribute to the atmosphere of the entire exhibition. I think this is encouraging, both for me as an artist who presents her work in certain environments, and for all those who need to see it.

View from the studio, oil on panel, 2023.

What are your future plans? Can we expect a new exhibition soon?

My current focus is on my thesis, but I have an exhibition coming up at Zen Contemporary Gallery, along with two very talented artists. I'm looking forward to it because the exhibition layout will be very interesting, and I believe it will be a good step in my further artistic development. I will also be collaborating with ArtBeat, a new art platform, and I'm looking forward to it because the works will be displayed and accessible to a wider audience.