Mirza Cizmic

Finnish artist Mirza Cizmic, born in 1985 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is currently in a prolific phase of his creative journey. As a father of two, his works are imbued with a cinematic intensity, brimming with unexpected twists and dark humor, often featuring a generous dose of hellish jokes that leave viewers both amused and intrigued.

It’s hard to reconcile his work with the tumultuous wartime childhood he experienced in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Cizmic often references a quote by Mark Twain: “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” This statement holds profound meaning for him.

In his earlier works, Cizmic explored themes of great escape, akin to a modern-day Exodus. With a solid foundation in painting techniques, his works blend personal experiences with an epic storytelling ability. Yet, they are presented with a cool, detached tone, eschewing dramatization or sentimental accusations. In recent years, he has shifted focus to more intimate personal narratives, crafting theatrical effects and piecing together a fantastical version of his past. By blending absurd and mundane elements into exaggerated compositions, he creates works that—though centered on (nonexistent) childhood memories—maintain a critical distance. It’s as if he is directing someone else’s story, spinning whimsical fairy tales.

As a father, Cizmic approaches his art with a sense of purity, aiming to explore his children’s childhood alongside them while compensating for his own lost childhood. However, as his dramatic works continue to evolve, the narratives have grown increasingly rich and multifaceted.