Welcome to the world of graphite marvels crafted by Jasenko Đorđević. Meet the artist who finds immense joy in transforming simple pencils into intricate works of art. His journey began with a deep fascination for detail and precision, leading him to explore the delicate balance between fragility and strength in his sculptures. On this page, you can learn about his artistic evolution, the inspirations that drive him, and the milestones he has reached along the way. Each piece he creates tells a unique story, reflecting his passion for this extraordinary medium.
Artist statement
Ever since my early childhood, I was mesmerized and inspired by miniature. Having a rich imagination, a steady and precise hand, and a lot of patience, I have started creating art from a very unlikely object – a pencil. Although the pencil has been used to serve a man and create art since time immemorial, I have decided to try to change the sequence of events and its primary purpose.
Now the pencil itself becomes art. It retains its function, to leave a testimony, but this time in a much different form, where the pencil is now able to tell the whole story without even writing a letter or drawing a single line. I am using very simple tools to create extremely detailed and complex sculptures carved from the tip of a pencil. This way I am giving an extraordinary meaning to this cheap and easily available instrument, while significantly adding to its value by expanding its purpose and making it a rare and unique piece of art.
My sculptures metaphorically speak about life philosophy. Through my work, I am showcasing both – the softness and the strength of a pencil, which needs to endure the carving of the tiniest details without being broken. This analogy can also be applied in a man’s life since humans are exposed to constant (re)shaping, where we have to show flexibility and durability so that we can successfully take on all the life roles without succumbing to their burden. The carving, which is often a demanding process, therefore creates a finished product – a work of art.
The process of creating a sculpture reaffirms how we function in the same way as nature since that is what we are – its inseparable part. This way we are reminded how we need to go back to basics to be able to understand and appreciate our core fully.
Since I work with natural materials, wood, and graphite, my art is environmentally friendly, as it takes minimum from nature and produces no waste. Every broken pencil is resharpened and reused.
This way I want to show how the tiniest amount of natural materials shaped by skilled hands and imaginative minds can convey a much more powerful message than many technologically assisted and greater-size installations might. My miniature sculptures tell great stories. Through them I speak against violence, share family values, promote my country, and even give new life to well-known and remarkable pieces of art, such as The Creation Of Adam.
AWARD & RECOGNITIONS
2013
- Award for sculpture (7th Biennale of Miniature Art in Bosnia)
- Grand Prix award (7th Biennale of Miniature Art in Bosnia)
2019
PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS
2013
- Cumberland Pencil Museum (Since January 2013, Cumbria, UK)
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023
- Exhibition at the Euha Congress (67th International Euha Congress & Industrial Exhibition, Nürnberg, Germany)
- Belt and Road (17th Hangzhou Cultural and Creative Industry EXPO, Hangzhou, China)
- CEE Cultural Fair (3rd CEEC Expo, Ningbo, China)
2022
- Kaleidosculp (International Atelier “Ismet Mujezinović”, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Miniatures on graphite pencils (The Culture Center, Zavidovići, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
2021
- Exhibition of miniatures (Municipal Library “Hrvatska sloga”, Gradac, Croatia)
2018
- Exhibition in Drammen (Buskerud Kunstsenter, Drammen, Norway)
- Stage of peace (Youth Theatre, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Exhibition of miniatures (Atelier Gallery TOLDart, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
2016
- Exhibition in Portåsen (Portåsen – Wildenveys Rike, Portåsen, Norway)
- Small Moves for Great Works (Union Bank, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
2015
- Pencil sculptures (Peace Flame House, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Second solo exhibition (Bosnian Cultural Center, Kalesija, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
2014
- MicroWorld on graphite pencil (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
- Small Is Beautiful – Miniature Art Milano (Fabbrica del Vapore, Milano, Italy)
2023
- Small Is Beautiful – Miniature Art Brussel (Hrand Place, Bruxelles, Belgium)
- Small Is Beautiful – Miniature Art New York (718 Broadway, New York, USA)
2022
- Annual exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (The Culture Center, Lukavac, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- 26th Selective exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Small Is Beautiful – Miniature Art London (Christie’s Auction House, London, UK)
2021
- 25th Selective exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- 11th Biennial Art Miniatures BiH (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Small Is Beautiful – Exposition sur l`Art Miniature á Paris (Galerie Joseph Paris, Paris, France)
- Annual exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
2020
- 24th Selective exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
2019
- 23rd Selective exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Annual exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
2018
- 22nd Selective exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Youth Salon (Collegium Artisticum, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina )
- Annual exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
2017
- 21st Selective exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- 9th Biennial Art Miniatures BiH (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Annual exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
2016
- 20th Selective exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Annual exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
2015
- 19th Selective exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- 8th Biennial Art Miniatures BiH (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Annual exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
2014
- The room in the city – the city in the room (Applied Artists Association Gallery, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- 18th Selective exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Annual exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
2013
- 17th Selective exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- 7th Biennial Art Miniatures BiH (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Annual exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Creativeworld (Messe Frankfurt Frankfurt, Germany)
2012
- 16th Selective exhibition – The Association of Fine Arts of the Tuzla Canton (Bosnian Cultural Center, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
2011
- Life is beautiful in Tuzla (Dom Mladih, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- 3rd Biennial Minimum Maximum 3 (Museum of Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
ONLINE EXHIBITION
2021
- ‘Bliss’ – 2nd edition – (Online exhibition at spotlightartcollective.com)