At The Stone Houses of distinguished Bosnian artist Safet Zec, time appears to traverse fluidly through the layers of history and imagination. 

The exhibition consists of seven, out of sixteen, two-dimensional works, portraying stone walls, Mediterranean stone house facades and interior stairs, steadfast against the passage of time. Immersed in Zec’s poetic realism, viewers are encouraged to contemplate within these enduring structures, where echoes of past lives linger, evoking curiosity about the untold stories hidden within. 

Zec’s mastery lies in his ability to capture the essence of these fleeting moments, crystallizing them into images that resonate with quiet power. His engravings and paintings are not representations but portals into a world of memory and cultural heritage. The temporal boundaries blur into insignificance, through a diverse area of materials and techniques.

The artist’s expert interplay of light and shade is reminiscent of Rembrandt’s and Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro techniques; each scene is illuminated with a sacred mystery, in alignment with the sunlight on the island of Syros during Easter week. 

Furthermore, Safet Zec’s participation in this year’s Venice Biennale underscores the significance of his work, affirming its lasting impact on the global art landscape. With each brushstroke and etching, Zec invites us to explore the interconnectedness of time, memory, and human existence across generations and cultures. 

About the Artist.
Painter and engraver Safet Zec, born in the town of Rogatica, Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1943, graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Belgrade in 1969. Forced to flee Sarajevo due to the Bosnian War in 1992, he found refuge in Italy. Today he lives and works between Sarajevo, Pocitelj, Venice and Paris. His poignant engravings and paintings, numbering over 250 plates, reflect a depth of emotion and resilience. His works are in major European and international galleries, as well as private collections. His profound artistic contributions earned him the prestigious Order of the Arts and Literature of France in 2007.



Text by Ariadne Sergoulopoulou
Artist & curator