Zvonimir Mihanović tirelessly greeted numerous visitors who had not had the opportunity to see his works in one place for 38 years.
On the occasion of University of Split’s 50th anniversary, he participated in opening of the exhibition “Zvonimir Mihanović; Ante Kaštelančić / Andrija Krstulović - LAUS DISCIPULI, GLORIA MAGISTRORUM” at University Gallery.
- It is unbelievable. I am even embarrassed and I cannot explain it. I am not media-popular like athletes, actors, but walking down the street, people come up to me at the fish market. It is simple, my painting caught people’s attention - Mihanović was evidently happy and surprised that his art found its way to so many people.
He knows what is it that attracts people to his paintings - simple life. The sea, stone house, modest yard, wall, little boat...
- My paintings are bought by people who control the world economy, and you ask what kind of evaluations can they make with a painting like this. In them, too, it awakens nostalgia for elements of a simple life, the only thing that can bring men happiness - the world-renowned and recognized artist, this time exhibiting with other artists at University Gallery, explained.
Zvonimir Mihanović wanted to show respect to his two teachers, Ante Kaštelančić and Andrija Krstulović, who taught him in the 1960s, at the (then) Split Faculty of Education’s Department of painting.
- So, two teachers and their student. At first glance, they not a cause-and-effect relationship, but there is the respect of a student who knows what they gave him - first of all craft, in the true sense of word, but also an outlook. All three are different expressions coming from the same source - said prof. emeritus Joško Belamarić, admitting it was not easy to select works to be exhibited together in the same gallery.
- The fact that the Kaštelančić family preserves almost one hundred, maybe more works, that can testify to all the phases of Kaštelančić's work, is a phenomenon - he said, and Krstulović once exhibited with Kaštelančić.
He developed his specific expression based on realistic and stylized sculpture, and collaboration with Ivan Meštrović marked earlier stages of his career. They each make a significant chapter in contemporary Croatian art. That is why large interest from the public for this exhibition was expected.
By: Gabrijela Radanović/Dalmatinski portal
Photo: Ante Mandić
