Nikola Vudrag at “Personal Structures — Beyond Boundaries”

Palazzo Mora, Venice, IT

By Maxime Foucquet

May 3, 2024

The European Cultural Centre’s exhibition “Personal Structures – Beyond Boundaries,” marked a resonant 7th edition which opened on April 20 at Palazzo Mora, coinciding with the 60th Venice Biennale. This year, the exhibition is graced by the profound sculptures of Croatian artist Nikola Vudrag, whose creations “Prometheus and Atlas” strategically placed at the entrance, introduce the thematic core of transcending personal and external limitations.

Sara Danieli, a primary organizer from ECC, remarked that Vudrag’s towering sculptures are not only a mythological protest against injustice but also encapsulate the exhibition’s essence—overcoming imposed boundaries. Each three-meter-high statue acts as a prelude to the explorative journey that lies within Palazzo Mora. The exhibition has grown significantly, attracting an estimated half-million visitors by its conclusion in November. It’s underpinned by the London-based Metamorphosis Art Projects, affirming its standing as a cornerstone event that complements the Venice Biennale.

Eva McGaw and Tatiana Palinkasev of Metamorphosis Art Projects praised Vudrag’s intellectual and philosophical approach to modern issues like mental health and societal pressures through the lens of mythology, which they said presented a compelling entryway into the exhibition. Vudrag’s engagement with the industrial material of Corten steel pays tribute to his heritage and craft learned from his father and grandfather, both metalworkers. This influence is palpable in the sculptures’ robust yet precariously dynamic forms.

For more information, please consult Nikola Vudrag’s website.