On Friday, August 15, the IUS Art Gallery proudly hosted the opening of the exhibition “Visualizing Identity: Hybrid Narratives of the Bosnian Diaspora in the United States through Visual Communication” by Visual Arts and Visual Communications Design (VACD) MA graduate, Tasneem Tanović.
The exhibition was officially opened by Tasneem’s mentor, Assistant Professor Dr. Emir Hambo, who expressed his pride in being part of a project that speaks so deeply about the experiences of Bosnian people in the United States. He also emphasized that IUS, as an international institution, values and embraces the diverse identities brought here by people from all over the world.
Ms. Tanović addressed the attendees with gratitude for joining this special occasion. She shared how the project began as a deeply personal journey — growing up as a Bosnian born and raised in the USA, she navigated the challenges of living with a hybrid identity and discovered how to express herself within different cultural contexts.
The exhibition explores the layered, evolving identity of Bosnian Americans, capturing the stories of three generations through intimate photography, symbolic artifacts, and a collective video narrative. These works trace the path from childhood to the present day, showing how identity is inherited, transformed, and reimagined over time. Rather than simply documenting, the pieces convey the emotional depth of memory and the resilience required to bridge cultures.
Through its rich visual language, the project expands the conversation on diaspora identity and challenges narrow, static definitions of who we are. It invites visitors to reflect on their own sense of belonging while witnessing a community shaped by both historical hardship and enduring hope.
As one of the exhibition participants aptly put it: “What’s paradoxical – and a bit humorous – is that in America I’m seen as Bosnian, and in Bosnia I’m seen as American. I guess I’m a mix, a hybrid, and I’m happy with that.”
Visit the exhibition online: https://www.artsteps.com/view/688bb87910bc6d77bf982784
The exhibition will remain open to the public until September 2025.
