On Thursday, March 13, 2025, the IUS Art Gallery hosted an art exhibition titled Blue Harmony by the young and talented artist Eldina Kožljak. The exhibition was opened by the IUS Art Gallery Director, Full Professor Dr. Meliha Teparić. In her opening remarks, Professor Teparić welcomed the attendees and introduced the artist, elaborating on the techniques used in the exhibited artwork.
The guest speaker, Senior Assistant Lejla Mustoo-Başer from the IUS Psychology (PSY) study program, addressed the audience, explaining the psychological aspects of the artwork. She highlighted how both art and psychology explore complex human emotions and emphasized that transforming these emotions into visual expressions is a challenging task. Ms. Mustoo-Başer also reflected on the symbolism in the artwork, such as infinity, timelessness, and survival. She concluded by encouraging attendees to explore not only the depths of the ocean but also their inner selves.
Eldina Kožljak, the artist, also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to exhibit her work at IUS. Kožljak is a dedicated visual artist who has curated numerous exhibitions and artistic projects. Although formally trained as a graphic artist, she explores various other visual media, with her work primarily focusing on depictions of the marine world and explorations of human psychology. Kožljak perceives the sea and its creatures as an endless source of inspiration, leading to numerous graphic cycles. Additionally, she has designed and conducted a series of engaging art workshops for both children and adults, fostering artistic expression and creativity.
The Blue Harmony project is an exhibition concept that explores the subtle connection between marine and human life through printmaking and mixed media art. It aims to inspire reflection on universal themes such as diversity, territoriality, adaptation, and survival, while emphasizing harmony and the beauty of biodiversity as its central motif. By presenting various marine life forms, the exhibition seeks to connect with the abstract depths of human psychology. Each piece conveys a specific emotional state or aspect of human nature, encouraging contemplation on the importance of harmony in coexistence.
Beyond its aesthetic exploration, the Blue Harmony project is a profound meditation on our connection to nature, the courage to embrace the unknown, and the steps we take toward harmonization. Each artwork is created exclusively in shades of blue, symbolizing the sea and ocean while evoking a psychological sense of infinity and depth. Expressive movement captures the beauty and dynamics of the marine environment, inviting a conceptual exploration of universal themes shared by all living beings. This project awakens a sense of fascination with the unknown world beneath the surface and reveals the complexity of human psychology when confronted with the concept of the “unknown.” It opens endless possibilities shaped by imagination while simultaneously triggering a longing for the familiar and safe.
