About SELECT COMMISSONS
Reaching for a Star - bronze, Canberra Women
and Children's Hospital and Sarlight Children's
Foundation
Pemulwuy - bronze, historical portrait, Univrersity
of Queensland
Awakening - bronze, private collection of Lang Walker
Reclinig Dancer - bronze, Sheraton Hotels
Blossoming - ceramic, prvate collcection of
Danka Seketin, Brisbane
Ocean Suf - cold cast resin, private collection of
Dr. Villareal, Los Angeles
Mother's Love - bronze, family portrait, private
collection of Dr. Harold Lancer
Alexis - bronze, portrait, private collection of
Dr. Harold Lancer
Tenderness - cast stone, North Shore Private
Hospital, Sydney
Aboriginal History Wall - relief, mixed media,
Sydney Olympics Committe
Chimpanzee - bronze, lifesize, private collection
of Robert Klein, Los Angeles
Caesar - mosaic, Romans at Manley Restaurant
Mishievous - mixed meda, the Little Snail Restaurant
Wind - steel, Laguna Beach Hotel
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Before receiving her MFA from the University of Washington, Masha Marjanovich studied European art in France, Hungary and her native Yugoslavia. The classical influences firmly rooted her art in the realm of figurative expressionism, allowing for stylistic versatility that nevertheless retains her signature aesthetic of the sculptural form. Through her study of music and dance Masha honed a skill of capturing subtle movement that is the key expressive element in her work. Masha's early opus was themed on ancient mythology, and explored the ceramic medium. She won her first award from the Museum of Ceramic Arts in Yugoslavia. Shifting focus to nature and wildlife, Masha mastered the mediums of cast resin, stone and bronze. Her work attracted the interest of private collectors and led to a series of portrait commissions, including the first work in her mother-and-child opus. The most recent sculpture from that opus will be unveiled next year at the new Canberra Women and Children's Hospital. Relocating from the US to Australia with her husband, a noted film illustrator and writer, Masha discovered a new source of inspiration in Aboriginal art and lore. She designed a powerful homage to the Indigenous people for the Sydney Olympics. Since that time she has been commissioned to create site-specific artwork for hotels, hospitals, corporate offices and private residences. Her sculptures grace public and private spaces in the US, Australia and Europe. Masha is a professional member of the International Sculpture Centre. ~ Annabelle Chotzen
SELECT EXHIBITIONS
Australian Contemporary Art Fair, Melbourne
Brenda May Gallery, Sydney
Oasis Gallery, Gold Coast
Miranda Galleries, Laguna Beach
Daniel Wenberg Gallery, Los Angeles
Del Mano Gallery, Los Angeles
Fremont Gallery, Los Angeles
Glendale City Gallery, Los Angeles
Margo Leavin Gallery, Los Angeles
Altermann & Morris Gallery, Santa Fe
Expressions in Fine Art, Santa Fe
Karen Ruhler Gallery, Santa Fe
Henry Gallery, Seattle
Linda Farris Gallery, Seattle
MONA Gallery, Seattle
Museum of Ceramic Arts, Serbia
Internatioal Ceramic Studio, Hungary
Articles
The Canberra Times Star Treatment for Chilren' Helpers
by Claire Low This sculpture, Reaching for a Star, has been created as a tribute to the helpers of sick children. Australian sculptor Masha Marjanovich has created the 1.2m-high bronze work for the new Canberra Women and Children’s Hospital in Canberra. It was commissioned by the chairwoman of the Starlight Children’s Foundation Canberra, Margaret Job. She will present it tomorrow to ACT Health Minister Kathy Gallagher at the Star Ball fundraising event at the Hotel Realm. Marjanovich said the sculpture is a tribute to the Foundation, which grants the wishes of seriously ill children. She designed her sculpture to reflect the Foundation logo silhouette of a child reaching for a star. She added the figure of a woman holding the child, to represent the support of the Foundation for the children. “The child is reaching for a star, a symbol of hope for recovery. The sculpture is an ode to a new start in life for children.” Marjanovich added that the star was designed to gently curve around the figures as it rises, so that the sculpture would impart an uplifting feeling of hope and joy. Companies that pledge their support to the Foundation will be given a star plaque on the sculpture base to honour their generosity. Reaching for a Star is part of Marjanovich’s mother and child series, which includes sculptures at the North Shore Private Hospital in Sydney, Villareal Clinic in Los Angeles and Lancer Clinic in Beverly Hills. “Mother and child motif is one of the oldest and best loved in art history, because it relates the most beautiful human experience, unconditional love,” said Marjanovich. Reaching for a Star will be unveiled at the new Women and Children’s Hospital next year.
The Gold Coast Bulletin Art Worldin Uproar
by Stehanie Bedo [excerpt] Picasso used brushes to paint h is masterpieces, but Tim Patch uses something a little less conventional. This is causing a fuore in the Gold Coast arts community. Broadbeach sculptor Masha Marjanovich resigned from the Gold Coast Sculptors' Society to take a firm stand on the role of fine art and artists in our culture. "A work of art is supposed to be the result of skill, knowledge, and insight. Good artwork enriches our lives, and draws us back to it repeatedly to re-examine it or simply enjoy looking at it again and again. Gimmickry will at best amuse us for a brief moment, but is always liminted by its banality," said Marjanovich. As an artist she believes that art is ultimately created for public audiences. "It is not fair to confuse the public perception of art, and to deprive the audiences of their right to evaluate art based on how meaningful it is to them. The purpose of art is to enrich our experience of life, to broaden our mind and spirit." Fellow sculptor Robert Matheson agrees with Masha's views. "What happened to the notion of developing fine motor skills and discipline over a lifetime, and lifting the aesthetic awareness of the audience who view your work, not to mention lifting the human spirit so that we are all enriched, " he asks. In response, the GCSS officialy stated that "it is all about pushing the limits."
Zena 21 Magazine In Focus: Masha Marjanovich
by Dragan BombekThe world of art continuously sparks disputes and controversy, partly over the very definition of art itself. We spoke to sculptor Masha Marjanovich on this subject.Q: What is art?A: Although the experience of art is highly subjective, art is first and foremost a form of communication. It uses visual language that can be readily understood by its audience. A work of art transmits the artist’s ideas and experiences to the viewer. Whether it be a sculptural compilation of found objects or an exquisitely painted landscape, it will only function as art if it succeeds in delivering the artist’s intended message to its audience – in case of the sculpture, a comment on wastefulness of our culture; and in case of the painting, simple delight in the beauty of nature. If the message is not received by the viewer, the artwork has failed. Q: What if the artist doesn’t have a specific message?A: In some instances, the message is more open, intending to provoke thought and guesses, but even there it communicates a specific message; if it leaves the viewer indifferent, it has failed. So art has to reach the hearts and minds of its public in order to be truly art. Q: How do you evaluate artwork?A: The best art transcends time and culture, because it relates experience of life common to all humanity. Also, the artwork is created with skill and knowledge of the craft that has value of its own. But it is important to remember that technical skill in crafting the object of art is not sufficient; artwork has to have the content that moves us, that inspires, pleases or provokes thought. Q: Who should say what is art and what isn’t?A: I am glad you asked that question. This has been a particularly touchy issue since the advent of abstract art. Although professional art critic has a very useful function in enhancing our understanding and appreciation of an artwork, good art should speak equally to everyone even without such interpretation. So the bottom line is that everyone should have the right to value and assess art, because art is indeed a very personal experience. If you find that a work of art moves you in some way, then it is unquestionably valid as art. The remainder of the process of evaluating art is academic.A: What inspires you?A: I am always amazed at the beauty found in nature, where form and function are intertwined in an aesthetic balance. The shape of a slender woman’s arm, a sweeping bird wing, a delicate flower petal, these forms are not only beautiful, but very expressive as well. They can relate a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences to which everyone can relate. The sculptures of Masha Marjanovich reflect her convictions, effectively conveying deep emotions and statements about life.
This Week in Sydney Monkey Business in Daring Harbour
edited by Robert Gibson Rumour has it that there is a tropical beach in Darlng Harbour.It was awesome, mindblowing! To be honest, I never thought it would ever happen in Darling Harbour. Never before have I seen something so different, dynamic and vibrant.It blew me away. As soon as you wak into the new Baja Beach Sydney restaurant, BANG, it just hits you - the interior of this place is a beach! To top it off, there are these HUGE MONKEYS perched above you in palm tees - holding torches!Eight Mischievous Monkeys were created by local sculptor, Masha Marjanovich. "The cartoon-like quality was intended to stress the playfull beach atmosphere in the restaurant," she said. And it works. The cheerful interior of the restaurant creates a relaxed atmosphere. The menu is extensive and complimented by a list of exotic cocktails. Diners can also win holiday prizes.
- The Canberra Times
- The Gold Coast Bulletin
- Zena 21 Magazine
- This Week in Sydney
