The representation of mass media, classical motifs and identity are themes that are currently being explored at Espace Robert Poulin with the show featuring the work of Bosnian artist Sadko Hadzihasanovic.

Born in Bosnia, Zadko Hadzihasanovic was classically trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo and at the University of Belgrade. He left his country and everything that he had known and immigrated to Canada in 1993.

Coming to Canada, the artist was shocked by the complete reversal of lifestyle that he had known back in Bosnia. Here in North America, he remarked on the influence of the American consumer driven economy.  An overwhelming bombardment of the masses with a constant loop of aggressive, media-infused stereotypes built upon a foundation of pop-culture. While there is a passive acceptance of these norms in our society, Hadzihasanovic provides a refreshing gaze on these topics by combining personal stories blended with a healthy dose of criticism.

The show at Espace Robert Poulin is titled “Les voyages de Gulliver” which is an excellent title that describes the artist’s perspective on his adopted homeland. Like the fictional character written about by Jonathan Swift, Hadzihasanovic was  a traveller who came to these shores. Indeed, Hadzihasanovic took on the role of Gulliver in a large scale work done with mixed media which is a featured centerpiece as you enter the gallery. In this representation he incorporates his own personal style of using repetitive images like that found on common household wallpaper.

The artist works mostly with mixed media collage and integrates found materials into his work. Much of that mixed media is reminiscent of wallpaper, Hadzihasanovic is clearly fond of the repetitive effect of motifs. He begins with the wallpaper as a base and then introduces characters to tell a variety of different stories. It is ironic in many ways because wallpaper is usually the sort of thing that disappears into the background and yet this time the viewer is being invited to look closely at muted characters brought to life in his works of art.

While there is much focus on his mixed media work, the artist has also produced a number of smaller watercolours, which Mr. Robert Poulin points out is very difficult to do. I myself was amazed at works which demonstrate his classical training as a painter. Some of these watercolours feature self-portraits of himself while others are renditions of island palm trees along the beach.

This new show by Zadko Hadzihasanovic is a personal invitation to discover a rare talent with many stories to tell

Espace Robert Poulin, space 411
Sadko Hadzihasanovic
Les voyages de Gulliver
April 11 – May 11 2013
www.espacerobertpoulin.com