MORE THAN A LOGO

Our messenger for art & peace

In 2015 Abraham Batzin Navichoc from Guatamala was the first artist to paint for See The Big Picture.
His painting depicts an old lady weaving a colorful cloth in the traditional Mayan way; she seems to
be amused at by the bright birds that fly around her as she weaves. We decided to use one of these
impish birds for our symbol. To be the messenger for art & peace as it wanders far and wide.

In simple black and white, our symbol invites you to fill it with colors of your choice. Just as each of
us decides the colors we put into our own lives. We each decide how much we will put into our
sometimes drab societies though we know we are all responsible to bring change and variety into
our surroundings. Black and white is unidimensional. Its borders are rigid. While colors flow,
mingle and create new possibilities. Our symbol is an invitation to you to cross borders of race,
creed and nationality. To depict a big picture of this wonderful world we call home.

JIM MCKEE

Country: Ireland
Title: The home I left behind

“The Home I Left Behind was inspired by the Irish Famine and the many ruins across the country
that were once people’s homes. It represents emigration, loss, eviction and homelessness – issues
still faced in Ireland to this day. This cottage is an impression of one in County Clare which dates
back to the 1840s. There aren’t too many of these left in Ireland, so I felt it important to capture
this remarkable snapshot of Irish history. The blood on the door symbolises the pain of eviction and
the pink on the fields and the sky is to remember the souls that once lived and worked there.”

JIM MCKEE

Country: Ireland

Jim McKee is a professional visual artist and singer/songwriter from
County Tyrone.

He is deeply inspired by The Burren and the West of Ireland which has
become his spiritual home since 2001.

Jim’s work extends across international solo and group exhibitions,
commissions plus charity and community arts projects and murals,
and as a recording artist he has performed across Ireland, the UK,
France and USA with his songs featured in films and documentaries.

His work was gifted to the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins by
the Institute of Technology, Tralee, Co Kerry as part of their UNESCO
Chair presentation in 2015.

ABRAHAM BATZIN NAVICHOK

Country: Guatemala
Title: Woman weaving

“Emigration is very a painful and profoundly sad topic, yet it is something that seems to never end.
It is the result of wars that destroy the families.
The inspiration for my painting is a WOMAN knitting the paths of emigration.

WOMAN
Mother
Widow
Grandmother
They just look at me
and they do not ask themselves?
I have been alone
for 40 years
fruit of the war.
My husband was killed
my daughter has disappeared
and my two sons
emigrated to the north.
Since then
I have not seen them
I keep on waiting for them
as long as there is hope
I keep on knitting
as long as the time goes on
I keep on knitting
the memories of yesterday
to bring them to the present
to leave them for tomorrow
that they would not be
forgotten.”

ABRAHAM BATZIN NAVICHOK

Country: Guatemala

Abraham Batzin (1964) is one of the most famous painters of Arte Naïf (Naive Art) in Guatemala. He currently lives in Quetzaltenango. Apart from his activity as an artist, Batzin contributes to social initiatives helping to improve the life of the Mayans by supporting the schools for the children with limited opportunities and the Foundation ‘Habitat para la Humanidad’ (Home for Humanity).

Batzin has exhibited his work both in Guatemala and abroad and won numerous awards. His works of art play with the traditional elements of Mayan culture. He is famous for introducing the “aerial view” in his paintings – the objects are often painted from above, like in the “bird’s eye“. He is one of the artists presented in the book ‘Arte Naïf: Contemporary Guatemalan Paintings’, published by UNESCO in 2001.

EDY SARAT

Country: Guatemala
Title: [untitled]

“Life is too big for the human being who is looking for pretexts every hour and every moment, loses the hope and trust in his neighbour, always looks for the wellbeing for himself, forgets the others, loses faith in his creator and creates barriers in order to differentiate and define his social bond.

He is forgetting his roots, who he is and where he comes from. Life is a way full of flowers, but also full of stones. There are good and bad moments, smiles and tears, but step by step we will overcome the difficulties.

This is why you should never forget your God who paints smiles, forms feelings and draws happiness into all of your brothers and sisters in the world.

Live to somehow leave your footprint in this world.
Just live.”

EDY SARAT

Country: Guatemala

Edy Sarat started drawing at the age of seven. He has graduated from an art school with the focus on painting and currently he takes actively part in the art competitions organized by the galleries in Guatemala. Sarat defines himself as an independent artist who is looking for the opportunities for doing the thing he loves the most – painting. In the future he would like to continue studying art and improving his skills abroad to find more opportunities for the artistic activities.

ALI ABUZR

Country: Afghanistan
Title: [untitled]

“How can I tell you, Mama, how much I love you – why did you send me here for being dead, Mama? I don’t know why it happened, but remember, Mama, there is no one to take my body from the beach. I am alone here. I will wait for you in the other world. I love you so much, Mama.”

ALI ABUZR

Country: Afghanistan

Ali was staying at a refugee home in Austria, but he moved on, just leaving behind the painting with the story above. We have lost track of him.

ZHIWAN HAMID

Country: Kurdistan
Title: [untitled]

“What appears in my painting is a Kurdish Peshmerga responsibly carrying out duties as a KRG Peshmerga to defend and to protect his nation and homeland. The picture contains a father ready to go to war and his daughter sadly hugging his legs as a sign of final farewell, and we can comprehend that she will be left with herself and the toy in her hands in the coming future. This Peshmerga’s trip to the frontier is something saddening and we can understand that the father will never come back home and the kid will be left alone living life with sorrow and fear.

The war’s consequences may definitely be dozens of disasters including thousands of orphans, incredible poverty and thousands of paralyzed, and all of these can be easily comprehended with looking closely at the drawing. The house in the drawing portrays a typical dwelling in a Kurdish village, the colour of the walls is a sort of colour that calms and relaxes, the open windows symbolize the compassion, hospitality, benevolence and humanity of Kurdistan´s people. “

ZHIWAN HAMID

Country: Kurdistan

Zhivan was staying at a refugee home in Austria, but he moved on, just leaving behind the painting with the story above. We have lost track of him.

ALEXANDAR STANKOVIC

Country: Serbia
Title: [untitled]

“When I came to Leoben I achieved my longterm dream. I received an offer that meant something more important than my whole life. This is my painting that has been first displayed in a refugee camp. It represents a great turning point in my life. All my past and all my future are in it. The past was dark, without inspiration, without laughter, without plans. The future I saw as a beautiful sunset in Leoben: my safety, my dream to paint come true, the smile on my face.

I wanted to paint all my joy so the others could see it and feel as happy as I was. I think I achieved that because sometimes, out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at the passers-by in front of my painting and I saw smiles on their faces.”

ALEXANDAR STANKOVIC

Country: Serbia

DAVID GACHECHILADZE & VERONIKA SITCHINAVA

Country: Georgia
Title: [untitled]

DAVID GACHECHILADZE &

VERONIKA SITCHINAVA

Country: Georgia

David, a professor of Journalistic and Political Science, and Veronika were staying at a refugee home in Austria, but they moved on.

DAVID GACHECHILADZE & VERONIKA SITCHINAVA

Country: Georgia
Title: [untitled]

DAVID GACHECHILADZE &

VERONIKA SITCHINAVA

Country: Georgia

David, a professor of Journalistic and Political Science, and Veronika were staying at a refugee home in Austria, but they moved on.

LARA & TIMEA WITH CHILDREN

Country: Syria and Hungary
Title: [untitled]

LARA & TIMEA WITH CHILDREN

Country: Syria and Hungary

Lara and Timea work with refugees in Austria. This piece was painted together with children who live in the refugee home.

Stefan Stimec

Country: Croatia/Germany/Austria
Title: [untitled]

“Life is a journey full of beauty, knowledge, joy and sadness. All this is for you to find happiness.
I interpret my journey through this picture.”

Stefan Stimec

Country: Croatia/Germany/Austria

I come from Germany, but since my parents are Croatian they have built a house in Croatia and they decided to move to Austria. Now I travel every weekend to Međimurie, Croatia my real home.

Liliane Kröll

Country: Austria
Title: [untitled]

“Life is like a tree. When we are young, we blossom like the trees in spring.
The older we get, the more mature we become.
We lose our beauty and youth just as the trees lose their leaves.”

Liliane Kröll

Country: Austria

Johanna Leipold

Country: Austria
Title: Europe’s cowering

“Art has nothing to do with taste. Art is not there to be tasted. The above quote is one which I wholeheartedly agree with. I paint my way through all the techniques and all the themes which interest me – sometimes representationally, sometimes abstractly, but I don’t have to let my work be determined by popular taste. My representational work is “intellectual” because I am concerned about problematic subjects, which those concerned themselves can only articulate or make public with difficulty. I consider striking images to be appropriate. Posters should appeal, touch, irritate and animate. My art is never intended to be just pretty.”

Johanna Leipold

Country: Austria

Johanna Leipold (1947) was born in Munich, Germany. After studying art in Munich, she moved to Austria and completed her artistic studies at F.P. Hofbauer. Her mostly large-format pictures put the person´s presentation in their thematic center. An expressive colouring is combined with a no less powerfull form of expression of physiognomy and physical activity of the persons represented.

Leipold can refer to an extensive exhibition activity at home and abroad. She made her debut on the American market together with Galerie Artodrome at the Artexpo 2007. Gallery Artodrome represents the artist worldwide in cities like Beijing, New York,  Shanghai or Taipei.(by Dr Stephan Kunkler, gallery owner)

EMAL ZARIFI, NASIR ALKAZAI

& SAID TIMORI

Country: Afghanistan

“My motto for life is to live every day as if it was my last.”

Emal Zarifi is a 21 year old Afghani with a refugee background who has been living in Austria for 2 years. He wants to stay in Austria and train to work as a shop assistant.

“My motto for life is that I am going on slowly, but I will never go back. Often when the mouth is laughing, the heart is crying.”

Nasir Alkuzai is an 18 year old young man from Afghanistan. He came to Austria as an unaccompanied teenager. First he lived in a refugee camp, but in March 2016 he became a school pupil in Austria.

“I love my homeland, but only when the war is over.”

Said Timori is an 18 year old young man from Afghanistan, who now lives in a refugee home in Austria. After the end of the war he wants to return to Afghanistan and work as an artist.

EMAL ZARIFI, NASIR ALKAZAI & SAID TIMORI

Country: Afghanistan
Title: [untitled]

EMAL ZARIFI, NASIR ALKAZAI & SAID TIMORI

Country: Afghanistan
Title: [untitled]

EMAL ZARIFI, NASIR ALKAZAI

& SAID TIMORI

Country: Afghanistan

“My motto for life is to live every day as if it was my last.”

Emal Zarifi is a 21 year old Afghani with a refugee background who has been living in Austria for 2 years. He wants to stay in Austria and train to work as a shop assistant.

“My motto for life is that I am going on slowly, but I will never go back. Often when the mouth is laughing, the heart is crying.”

Nasir Alkuzai is an 18 year old young man from Afghanistan. He came to Austria as an unaccompanied teenager. First he lived in a refugee camp, but in March 2016 he became a school pupil in Austria.

“I love my homeland, but only when the war is over.”

Said Timori is an 18 year old young man from Afghanistan, who now lives in a refugee home in Austria. After the end of the war he wants to return to Afghanistan and work as an artist.

ANDREA R. TOMITSCH

Country: Austria
Title: Farewell

“We are subject to constant change, whether intentional or unintentional, inwardly or outwardly. Saying goodbye to familiar and trusted grounds, and moving towards new and unknown shores. This circumstance is accompanied with fear, helplessness, confusion and the obligation to let things go. It is nice if there is someone who provides us with help, guidance and protection on our journey.”

ANDREA R. TOMITSCH

Country: Guatemala

Anyone who attended Josef Pillhofer’s sculpture classes in the 1970s, like Andrea Tomitsch did, left oriented towards classical modernism. Prepared to fulfill the claim for aesthetic sustainability one entered a world, where the whole vibe seemed to be rather fluid and contradictory. The topics of political and social issues twisted the arts at that time. The expression of the time is, therefore, experimental and action-oriented.

This was the reason why Andrea Tomitsch left cubist sculpture and turned to experimental abstract painting. She saw this as a way of breaking free from the dominant forms of tectonic sculpture, where personality was solely limited to the choice and development of spatial conception, the clarification, and maintaining the work processes.

Recently, Andrea R. Tomitsch has once again returned to vivid reality. However, there is also a third element present in her newest works, particularly those depicting psychologically charged situations, mostly demonstrating a constellation of three. The figures are hereby greatly reduced, to put emphasis on the exemplary representation of their interpersonal relationships.

BEHROUZ MOHAMMADI

Country: Afghanistan/Iran
Title: Refugees

“The migrants who have drowned on their way, travelled with everything they owned – and with a big decision to go to Europe.”

BEHROUZ MOHAMMADI

Country: Afghanistan/Iran

Behrouz Mohammadi (1997) was born in Harat, Afghanistan, but when he was only 2 months old, his family fled from the war to Iran. Besides painting, Mohammadi also practices graphics, graffiti-art and wire sculpture. His first exhibitions took place in Iran. After moving to Austria in 2016, he continues his artistic career in Europe. His numerous pieces of art often address the topics of war, emigration, loss and death.

JOSEF "JOJO" EMEKA NWACHUKWU

Country: Gabon
Title: Money protects

“Protect me and I will protect you!“ chants The Money. We live in a world full of aims that Money helps us to achieve. I can leave the borders of my country and Money protects me. I can change my citizenship and Money protects me. Wherever I go – Money protects me. If I do not have it I will starve. We build big houses to protect The Money, because we cannot survive without it.“

JOSEF "JOJO" EMEKA NWACHUKWU

Country: Gabon

Josef Emeka Nwachukwu (Jojo) was born in Libreville, Gabon. After moving to Europe in 2002, he discovered his artistic flair and took his first master’s class in painting in Ortweinschule Graz, Austria.

Besides painting he is also fascinated by photography, acting, dancing and filmmaking.

WALTER THORWARTL

Country: Austria
Title: My Connamara

“The land belongs to those who are prepared to share it with others and cherish it faithfully.
The present belongs to those who treat others with tolerance and respect.
The future belongs to those who give people hope of a life shared in the common good of mankind.”

WALTER THORWARTL

Country: Austria

Walter Thorwartl (1947) is a writer, storyteller, playwright and painter from the mountain village of Gröbming, Austria.

As a famous author of numerous books for children and adolescents, he organises public readings, writing workshops and story walks for young people as well as storytelling nights for adults. In addition to his work of prose, he writes theatre plays for children and for the drama group „Verein Theater Moosheim“.

Thorwartl’s love of painting started as early as his school years. His acrylic paintings introduce the elements of fantasy while his aquarelles mostly portray the landscapes of Styrian and Burgenlandian regions of Austria as well as Italy, Croatia and Ireland.

RONNIE FITZGERALD

Country: Ireland
Title: No Irish need apply

“When I worked in London as a musician in the early seventies I encountered a lot of migrant Irish workers in the pubs an clubs where the band played. This painting is based on an early morning scene in a cafe in Camden Town where Irish navvies used to meet at 6.30 AM and wait for a pick up to go to a site. Sometimes this would happen sometimes not. One morning I met four lads from County Clare that were regulars in there. I was only twenty years old at the time, so these men looked old to me but were probably only in their early forties. They were huge big men, their movements were slow and awkward. They seemed out of place in the city – big men from West Clare who had leaned into the wind on the Cliffs of Moher and who had felt the surf spray on their faces as they walked through Lahinch. Now they were waiting to go to a building site in the Big Smoke.

The cafe owner was a Londoner and he had a young lad from Pakistan cleaning and serving tables. He was almost casually racist, calling the Irish lads as Paddy and Mick, and if he really liked you, you were Pat. He referred to his helper as My little Pakie Bastard and had a sign in the window stating „No Irish need apply“. I asked the Navvies what they thought of it all. They said they were used to him and didn’t give a shite, but one of them leaned over to me and whispered „He got a right trimming over in Cricklewood one night outside the Crown.“

RONNIE FITZGERALD

Country: Ireland

Ronnie Fitzgerald is a freelance visual artist from Clonmel, Ireland. He exhibits regularly and has had a number of solo shows as well as taken part in group exhibitions. He has been commissioned in both the public and private sectors, and has worked in public and private collections throughout the world.

RAPHAELA KRASSNITZER

Country: Austria
Title: Tree and sunset

”I decided to paint this tree because trees can be found all over the world. They come in various types, shapes and sizes with different leaves and bark just like mankind does. People may differ in looks but on the inside, in our heart, we are all the same. So we shouldn’t let us be guided by prejudice but should appreciate all our similarities and differences”

RAPHAELA KRASSNITZER

Country: Austria

ABU FOFANA

Country: Liberia
Title: Food business

“I got my inspiration from women and children, because when I see women I think about what my mother went through and whenever I see a child I also think about what I went through during my childhood days. Furthermore, I am inspired by the hardship and poverty people are going through, especially women and children.”

ABU FOFANA

Country: Liberia

Abu Fofana is a native Liberian, born in Lofa County. Due to the war, he grew up in Guinea, and spent 20 years there. In 2000, he developed a passion for painting when he met a friend who is an artist. This friend encouraged Fofana to paint because he could sketch well.

Abu believes that his inspiration comes from images of the interior parts of Liberia. He currently paints in oil, acrylic and sand. He is also the creator of the mural on the front wall of Cachelle International and the executive pavilion, two public buildings in Liberia. He participated in several arts exhibitions including the United States Embassy Arts and Craft Fair and obtained 14 certificates from the US Embassy. In 2003, he organized the women’s arts gallery in Congo town, Monrovia, where he taught fine art.

DIANA DAVTIAN

Country: Ukraine
Title: The ghost of hope

“Even if you feel like there is nothing left or you feel deep loneliness, don’t give up! Never lose hope! Hope can give a meaning to your life, make you believe in a better future. Change what you want to change and keep hoping that you can do everything you believe in!
Hope can come even if you think it is the end.”

DIANA DAVTIAN

Country: Ukraine

Diana Davtian was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, where she began her way as an artist. She graduated Art School and moved to Graz, Austria, where she currently attends a Painting MA course at the Ortweinschule.

Diana likes to work with different materials and tools, as well as experiment with photos.

She hopes that in each piece of her art you will discover her personality, her story and her feelings: “You can see me through my works because artists can’t hide the truth, they can’t lie. I am trying to find a way to make people not only see visual art, but also hear it.”

STANKA GOLOB

Country: Slovenia
Title: Krogi Soča

“Slovenian sand, all of natural colours. I am swimming in the unknown.
All the sands were collected by my husband and me over the last 23 years on Slovenian watercourses, hills and quarries. During this time, every work is a drop in the sea… but it is my drop.
Which makes me happy, especially if someone is touched by it and if it makes people think or surprises them.”

STANKA GOLOB

Country: Slovenia

Stanka Golob is devoted to painting since 1981. Since 1994 she intensively explores the effects of natural sand in art. She uses only sand collected in the Slovenian rivers, mountains and quarries.

Her long informal education culminated with studies at the School of Drawing and Painting – Arthouse – college of Visual Arts in Ljubljana, where she graduated in 2012.

All the painting surface is covered with sand, this is the reason for naming such creations sand pictures. As she is still researching this interesting painting medium, the motifs and basis are very scarce.

She had also participated in international artist colonies and received several awards. Many art historians and artists wrote about her work: She had over 70 solo exhibitions and more than 150 group exhibitions in Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Croatia and France.

NDORBOR YORYOR

Country: Liberia
Title: Preparing for the festive season

”In Kolahun Lofa County, it is customary that families join on most holidays to cook together.
This painting depicts a scenario where my family joins with other villagers to prepare food for my country Liberia’s Independence Day celebrations.”

NDORBOR YORYOR

Country: Liberia

Ndorbor Godwin Yoryor started his elementary education at The Bong Education Center in Bong Mines, Liberia.

Surprisingly, his art career started as early as his elementary school days. Before he was promoted to 6th grade he had already started making good sketches. His peers and teachers admired his works a lot. Yoryor was good at pencil sketches and creating greeting cards.

No sooner had his elementary school days ended, civil war broke out and disrupted everything in Liberia.

As peace got gradually restored, Ndorbor started arts again. He was brought up by some mentors who contributed to his successful career today.

At present Yoryor paints in all mediums. He is presently the President of the Union of Liberian Artists.

THERESIA FAULAND-NERATH

Country: Austria
Title: Seeing through

“China ink on paper is the basis of this painting. The paint solidifies. A combination of brushes and fluids creates microcosms of iron ore. This is my ‘liquid’ and artistic media.”

THERESIA FAULAND-NERATH

Country: Austria

Theresia Fauland Nerath lives and works in Graz and Vienna. She is a well reputed sculptor but paintings, graphics and installations are also part of her art. Her foremost inspiration is nature, but she loves to travel and meet people, listening to their stories. Sharing art, music, time and space makes her happy.

“They say I’m an all-round artist, which might be true. I love to work and express myself – my emotions in different fields of art.”

MICHAEL HUNTER

Country: England
Title: Churn race

MICHAEL HUNTER

Country: England

Michael Hunter, a Fine Art graduate of Reading University in 1973, has worked in many occupations in a variety of locations before changing to a long-overdue full-time career as a painter.

His paintings are sufficiently literal that they require no verbal explanation from the painter, who is accustomed to being a stranger everywhere, so sees everything with the eye of an outsider. That, after all, is the painter’s job.

ANURADHA SARUP

Country: India
Title: Sunshine and roses

”May all the loads you carry, be as fragrant,
May all the work you do, bring such cheer.
May there always in your life, be color,
And a warm ray of sunshine find your face, as a smile lights it up.”

ANURADHA SARUP

Country: India

A young man, scarcely more than a boy, carried a load of roses into the Delhi flower market. Though made of delicate flowers, it was a heavy burden on his shoulders and he carried many such through the day. As he realized he was being photographed, his face lit up into a shy smile. Just as the first ray of sunshine filtered through the early morning air to fall on his face.

Thousands of young men in the unorganized sector lead a precarious life with long working hours and unpredictable income. No financial security now or later in their old age except what they can save up themselves. Yet in the midst of these harsh realities, their ability to smile and enjoy a simple moment makes them invincible travellers in this journey called life.”

Anuradha describes herself as Human. Woman. Traveler. Designer. Photographer.

From New Delhi – India, her work is inspired by the vibrancy of colors and light of the Indian desert. Now based in Austria, she continues her exploration of light, color and form. Seeking light in life, relationships, attitudes and photographs.

DRAŽEN PAVLOVIĆ

Country: Croatia
Title: Sphere CD (construction ~ deconstruction)

DRAŽEN PAVLOVIĆ

Country: Croatia

Dražen Pavlović, born on 17 May 1962 in Varaždin, is a professional painter of strong and open colouring with an original authentic style and thematic approach. He is a representative of a new modern scientific and artistic movement called The Metastabilian Movement (TMM), the philosophy of which is based on the theory of complementary nature (The Complementary Nature; J.A.Scott Kelso and David A. Engstrom – Cambridge, Massachusetts / London, England).He is also a member of the Varaždin artistic association (LUV) , HDLU Zagreb (Croatian Society of Fine Artists Zagreb) and the HDLU Varaždin (Croatian Society of Fine Artists Varaždin ).

So far he has organised 38 solo exhibitions, participated in more than 190 group exhibitions and over 160 art colonies, art symposia and artistic living in Croatia and abroad (Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, India, the USA, Germany, United Kingdom and Russia).Apart from easel painting, he is also professionally engaged in graphic design and scenography, as well as modern furnishing of business and residential spaces. He has received several prominent domestic and international awards and prizes for his artistic work. In the beginning of 2015 Dražen Pavlović was declared ‘artist of the month’ by the influential Indian magazine for art, fashion, film and photography called »EmerZing Stars«, which is based in New Delhi (with affiliates in NYC, London, Moscow, Rome and Paris). Currently he lives and works in Varaždin (CRO).

DANI GARRIDO TARDÍO

Country: Spain
Title: Connect

“Connect” is an example of a mix. It’s both a painting and an illustration, since it would fit perfectly in a children’s book. A thinking activity projected on a canvas. The painting suggests the connection between what is real and what is not. You can consider trying to imagine the giant carrot silhouette by connecting its dots. Or you can empathize with the astronaut rabbit and what it desires. Are our expectations so high that they just can’t be possible? Are we ready for the truth and accept the reality?

DANI GARRIDO TARDÍO

Country: Spain

Dani Garrido Tardío studied Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona and the post degree in Graphic Design at Idep Barcelona. He started to make illustrations in 2013 until now, working in different registers and mixing them with painting. His style is colourful, dreamy and joyful, and thematic such as pop culture; sweet worlds and outlandish characters are common in his works.

DUŠKO ABRAMUŠIĆ

Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Title: Steps to destiny

DUŠKO ABRAMUŠIĆ

Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dusko Abramusic born in 1960 in Zenica. Graduated at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo in 1988. He lives and works in Zenica. He is a member of the Society of Croatian Fine Arts Artists in F. Bosnia Hercegovina, Association of Artists of Ze-do Canton, Association of Fine Artists of Lašvanska Valley, LIKUM Personality Society of Zagreb, R. Croatia, and he has exhibited at several group exhibitions at home and abroad and more times independently.

TATJANA MIJATOVIĆ

Country: Slovenia
Title: Through fields and rivers into freedom

”This art piece is intended for all the refugees. Their stories have touched me personaly, because I’ve met several of them, while working as a volunteer in one of our refugee centers in Slovenia.”

TATJANA MIJATOVIĆ

Country: Slovenia

Fine art artist – painter Tatjana Mijatović, lives and works in Radenci. She is well known for her energy, which you can find in her art. In her art carrier she has had lots of solo exhibitions, group exhibitions, art workshops and art colonies in Slovenia and abroad. She connects art and people on a daily basis, it is like her calling.

From the year 2010, she is responsible for the art gallery in Radenci. She organizes several exhibitions there every month. As the president of the Art Association, she is very successful in bringing together different artists, businessmen, people from the tourism industry and the fine art appreciating public. She was also a part of several charity art events. In the course of the years she has developed her own recognizable art style. She mainly expresses herself in acrylic canvas technique. She says that for her painting is like researching.

JOSUE RAMÌREZ

Country: Guatemala
Title: [untitled]

JOSUE RAMÌREZ

Country: Guatemala

Josue Ramìrez studies Graphic Advertising Design at Universidad
Mesoamericana.

NATALIA MEDEBACH

Country: Russia
Title: String Games for Two People

An important part of my art work is to visualise the invisible threads which exist between me and other people and between me and nature. Since the beginning of my artistic work one basic thought has challenged and inspired me again and again: shapes that look similar on different scales, referred to in Physics as fractals, in macro and micro worlds. Smaller units are connected to a bigger unit, a symbol and to a metaphysical body. My creations and my life are for me complex constructs, whose parts can only be defined through their relationship to the whole.

NATALIA MEDEBACH

Country: Russia

Natalia Medebach was born in Leningrad (St.-Petersburg). She now lives and works in Graz (Austria). In her work she deals with invisible connections and visible separations as well as with the borders between the micro and macro worlds. She works in painting, drawing and installation media and in performative actions to encourage holistic processes. She studied painting at the academy of visual arts in Mainz with Prof. Friedemann Hahn, and completed her diploma in painting with Prof. Katharina Grosse in Berlin-Weissensee. In between, she studied with Prof. Erwin Bohatsch and Prof. Walter Obholzer at the academy of fine arts in Vienna and afterwards she was a member of the master class with Prof. Katharina Grosse in Berlin-Weissensee.

DARIJA GORDIĆ MILINKOVIĆ

Country: Slovenia
Title: The Fighter

DARIJA GORDIĆ MILINKOVIĆ

Country: Slovenia

Darija was born on 13 November 1980 in Pancevo, Serbia. In 1999 she finished the Arts Gymnasium in Šabac and graduated from the College of Fine and Applied Arts in Belgrade in 2001.

In 2009 she graduated with Prof. Slobodan Bijeljac at the Academy of Fine Arts, Department of Painting, in Banja Luka.

Now living and working in Slovenia, she has exhibited in eight solo and several group exhibitions. She has now also for several years, participated in workshops as an organizer and mentor.

In her work, her interest lies in Animalism and Figuration.

MATZUE Z WILES

Country: Liberia/USA
Title: [untitled]

MATZUE Z WILES

Country: Liberia/USA

Originally from Liberia, I grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where I earned a Mass Communications degree from Louisiana State University. In addition to my degree and certification in Personal Nutrition, I have gained a great deal of relevant skills and experience over the past 10 years while working at different capacities within the education field.

Being bi-cultural, my personal teaching philosophy is rooted in diversity and self-reflection which I believe allows for growth of the whole student at his/her specific level. Every student is unique and I strive to provide opportunities to test their individual strengths and weaknesses in a safe environment, while meeting NASPE (National Association for Sport and Physical Education) standards, and learning about movement, teamwork, problem solving and overall health related fitness. The social species of Mountain zebras have evolved physically from other equine species to adapt to the rugged terrains of the mountains, becoming agile climbers. Similar to the leaders of mountain zebra herds, I will do everything in my ability to nurture and protect 2nd -10 grade students while providing them with attainable goals and challenging them in ways that will contribute to their progress and “evolution” physically, socially and emotionally.

RADHIKA SURANA

Country: India
Title: [untitled]

RADHIKA SURANA

Country: India

Painting, for me, is an expression of my innermost self which is better expressed in colors and tones, in lines and forms.

As a part of my formal education I have gone through Rajasthan University’s five year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) course in Jaipur. However, my affinity to this art form is more instinctive and spontaneous. I believe that formal training and learning of techniques is extremely important and helpful as it provides pointers to help in the creation of a work of art which is eventually given life through an artist’s feeling.

Shri Dwarka Prasad , eminent artist of Jaipur, has helped in honing my sensibilities with regard to strokes and hues. I worked as an apprentice with him for five years. His contribution to my handling of a pencil or charcoal, in shading, and in creating strength to a line has been phenomenal.

Besides this form of art involving color, tones and shape, another strong influence in my life has been art in the form of swar, shruti and saptak. My exposure to Indian classical music started at a very early age. Training in Hindustani music was followed by a Vishaarad (graduation) from Bhatkhande School , Lucknow and Masters (Alankaar) from Brigad Gujrat Samiti, Ahmedabad. The journey continued under the tutelage of Shri K. K Dehlvi in Udaipur and then with Pandit Sarathi Chatterjee for some years. Is now continuing under Pandita Gargee Siddhanta Datta.

MARIAMI AKHOBADZE

Country: Georgia
Title: [untitled]

MARIAMI AKHOBADZE

Country: Georgia

Graduate of Tbilisi State Academy of Art (2011 – Restoration, Art History and Theory, 2015 – Visual Arts). She has presented her works at individual and collective exhibitions, including in Israel, Italy, Armenia and Poland.

Mariam Akhobadze portrays people in everyday, routine activities in a grotesque and funny way. As she says – she wants to show the fervor and confusion of everyday life, to make us aware of the value of the passing time. People often squander it in empty conversations and gossip.

BERLINE DJABOU

Country: Liberia
Title: [untitled]

BERLINE DJABOU

Country: Liberia

Berline Djabou is a Care giver & trainer in arts & craft at the Lutheran Church in Liberia. She works specially with the HIV and AIDS Programme.

DIANA DAVTIAN WITH CHILDREN

Country: International
Title: [untitled]

DIANA DAVTIAN WITH CHILDREN

Country: International

Our contributing artist Diana Davtian spent time with school children to create this special painting. The young artists come from Syria, Afghanistan, Croatia, Bosnia, Poland, Turkey and Romania. Literally a world view!

STUDENTS OF JIRI SHWORI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Country: Nepal
Title: Nepal Says Thank You

STUDENTS OF JIRI SHWORI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Country: Nepal

A painting by the students of Jiri Shwori Primary School, proud of their
new school building. A place for learning, creativity and fun.

SASKA MITROVA JORDANOVA

Country: North Macedonia
Title: [untitled]

SASKA MITROVA JORDANOVA

Country: North Macedonia

Saska Mitrova Jordanova graduated at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of “St. Cyril and Metodious”  Skopje, North Macedonia. Currently she paints and resides in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

The real creative is not limited and never stops experimenting. Thus, in Saška’s images we find different designs and artistic styles – from portraits and landscapes to imaginative abstraction. All works have a personal touch and a dark quality. Most of the images show a magical world where there is a junction between fantastic and realistic images. Realistic portrait and some of the faces and figures are what we as viewers read the first from picture, on the other hand have a fantastic image, the viewer leaves the open and sometimes very personal interpretation. Featured motives often resemble scenes of nightmares, a popular starting point for creating a romantic painting. Present are the crowd dissolving the bodies that move into a disembodied and resemble ghosts or even discarded souls. Saška has developed its own unique dark style, even though the viewer at first sight frightened, not depressive, but intrigued and pulled into the magical world of uncertainty, which may not be pleasant, but we find it somehow familiar. Because it does not differ much from the outside world, which we call reality – both of which are often fraught with uncertainty and human fears. The difference is that Saška’s apocalyptic world is a much more honest, because negative feelings do not push and do not hide but be served thereby liberating.

(written by Eva Kovač)

She has exhibited in Makedonia, Bugaria and Slovenia.

KATARINA SWEDA

Country: Slovakia/Austria
Title: Beware of the New World Order

“…art liberates. It thrives on images and dreams, and broadens their horizons…”

KATARINA SWEDA

Country: Slovakia/Austria

Katarina Finta Sweda is a modern artist expressing her art through mediums like paintings, drawings, and ceramic sculptures. Combining them all, she developed her unique sculpture-picture-portraits.

Katarina was raised in Slovakia, graduated from the technical university in Kosice, and acquired additional instruction in painting and techniques from Prof. Josefik in Prague and Prof.Csako in Kosice.

In Austria since 1989, Katarina has exhibited in Austria, Germany and Belgium. Her sculptural series ‘St. Barbara’ now contains over 100 unique items, which are in private and public collections in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Russia and India.

ANESA CAUSEVIC, ELISA DIETHART,

MARLIS TIEFENGRABER, VERONIKA WILDING

Country: Austria, Bosnia, Slovakia
Title: Anchor of Hope

ANESA CAUSEVIC, ELISA DIETHART,

MARLIS TIEFENGRABER,

VERONIKA WILDING

Country: Austria, Bosnia, Slovakia

The motif of the anchor symbolizes hope, which can quickly be lost in certain situations. The loss of hope is represented by falling figures, while dancers and climbers express hope. Likewise, the work should illustrate that mutual help can also bring hope.

Painted at the Students Workshop during the See The Big Picture exhibition at the Museums Center, Leoben.

EFDAL AKCA, ANNA-KATHARINA BERGER,

FELIX REMICH AND ELENA SCHÖGGL

Country: Austria, Turkey, Germany
Title: Racism the hurdle of our humanity

EFDAL AKCA,

ANNA-KATHARINA BERGER,

FELIX REMICH AND

ELENA SCHÖGGL

Country: Austria, Turkey, Germany

Racism, the obstacle of our world! There are many stories behind our colorful masterpiece. Each section was painstakingly created by 4 different artists. These areas are connected by a street in which a carefully selected saying translated into the Spanish and Turkish languages is entered. Throughout the picture you can see eyes, ears and a mouth, which aim to show that before judging we should use our abilities to listen, see and speak. In two independent spaces, shadows were drawn to symbolise different people, with an aim to convey that every human being, regardless of skin color, religion or origin, casts the same shadow.

Painted at the Students Workshop during the See The Big Picture exhibition at the Museums Center, Leoben.

LENA BRUNNER, ANJA RUPPNIG,

EMILIJA MATOSEVIC, RAMONA DÖRFLINGER AND

LINA PACHATZ

Country: Austria, Croatia
Title: You‘re still beautiful

LENA BRUNNER, ANJA RUPPNIG,

EMILIJA MATOSEVIC,

RAMONA DÖRFLINGER AND

LINA PACHATZ

Country: Austria, Croatia

We decided to draw this picture in order to make a statement and show that there is no definition of beauty. 

Painted at the Students Workshop during the See The Big Picture exhibition at the Museums Center, Leoben.

LIESBETH VAN GINDERDEUREN

Country: Belgium
Title: The game of unfinished structure

"The work is part of a range of works showing moments of buildings under construction where the game of unfinished structure, light and reflection is creating an inspiring atmosphere. In these moments you can get lost in between reality and reflection."

LIESBETH VAN GINDERDEUREN

Country: Belgium

I was raised in Leuven (1989) and am living and working in Antwerp, Belgium. I graduated in 2012 from the Catholic University of Leuven as an Engineer Architect and graduated in 2018 from the Academy of Fine Arts Berchem (partly art education) as a painter.   

I was doing my EVS at the center for contemporary art in Graz this year when Marina D. Argent, who was doing her EVS at Art Mine, asked me to join See The Big Picture. The atelier of Franz Konrad in Schaumbad – which I could share with him during my stay in Graz – was the inspiring place where I could make these works.

SUJATA DERE

Country: India
Title: Harmony

“The Lotus is India’s national flower. It symbolizes the rise of the nation through turmoil to freedom and greatness.

The Lotus finds its way out of muddy waters to bloom and break free – so representing birth, growth, beauty and freedom.
No matter where life begins, it is determination and courage that help us to prosper, grow and spread goodness.”

SUJATA DERE

Country: India

Sujata completed her formal art education from the prestigious Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai. She held her first solo exhibition at the India International Centre, New Delhi in 1992. This was followed by several other solo and group shows in India and abroad. Constantly enriching the repertoire of her artistic palette, her search for a deeper meaning in life has propelled her to delve into the mysteries of the mind, nature and the universe. Metamorphosing in a deeply meditative series of serene Lotus Ponds and the graceful forms of the Horse as poetic beings embodying all that is instinctual and intuitive.

Her interest in various methods of healing and a need to reach out and touch people’s lives in a positive manner motivates her to work with children with special needs and in the field of mental health, using Art as a therapy.

Sujata’s works, which have been showcased in many significant exhibitions, have won both critical and popular acclaim. Her works are an intrinsic part of private collections all over India, the Middle East, Europe and the US.

She spent 2004-05 as a member of the Art League School, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Continuing to travel and interact with a wide range of artists from different parts of the world, she is currently living and working from her studio in New Delhi.

KELLY MILLER

Country: USA
Title: [untitled]

KELLY MILLER

Country: USA

Kelly Miller (born in 1963, Port Arthur, TX, United States) makes sculptures and paintings as well as glass carvings.

After graduation in Houston he was chosen to get specialized training in different art mediums and won three “Gold Key Awards” for several art projects entered in National Competitions. He was awarded a scholarship at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale.

Kelly Miller currently lives and works in Leoben.

ARIEL CHAVARRO AVILA

Country: Colombia

EMAL ZARIFI, NASIR ALKAZAI & SAID TIMORI

Country: Afghanistan
Title: [untitled]

LEWIS BLAKE

Country: England
Title: Altstadt Rooftops

LEWIS BLAKE

Country: England

Lewis J Blake is an artist from England, now based in Graz, Austria. Lewis studied Fine Art at Goldsmiths College, London before spending four years working as a Specialist Painting Assistant for the artist Damien Hirst. Having maintained an artistic practice alongside work as a technician, he is now working as a freelance artist, painting geometric and abstract works based upon influences drawn from architectural forms, imagined monuments, found objects and meticulous photographical investigation.

His latest works draw influence from the old-city rooftops of the city of Graz, where Blake has lived and worked since 2018. Through his choice of bold, vibrant tones, he transforms urban scenes into seas of colourful forms. 

Work title: ‘Altstadt Rooftops’

For See The Big Picture it was important for me to focus on a subject which reflects my current place in the world rather than my background. I am originally from the UK, but have been working in Austria since 2018. I’ve found Graz to be a constant source of inspiration for my paintings and this work, Altstadt Rooftops, takes in one of my favourite views of the city, looking out from half way up the Schlossberg mountain over the rooftops beyond. I particularly enjoy the anonymity that the process of abstracting these buildings creates. Each one becomes just a small piece of a bright and colourful patchwork, which seemed quite apt for this particular project.

JANNE ATTAKPAH

Country: Nigeria
Title: Nurse, Mother, Widow, Sister, Daughter

JANNE ATTAKPAH

Country: Nigeria

Through my paintings I express my emotions and challenges in life.

Therefore all my creations are different in their own.

I use my hands to paint and let my state of mind create my painting.

I love to feel the colors and create it with my palms.

Every painting is a unique part of me.

I love life and all experiences in it.

I am (free).

ALI OGAILI

Country: Iraq
Title: the world is a home

ALI OGAILI

Country: Iraq

Ali was born in Iraq in 1971, he comes from a very well know and artistic family.

His father is famous in Bagdad for his glass paintings. Ali discovered his love of art at the tender age of 10 years. His father lovingly passed on to him the family tradition of glass painting. Ali has created huge pieces that be seen in churches and Islamic houses of prayer. In 1995 he was honored by the state for his creativity in this field. Between 1988 and 1993 he studied at the prestigious university of Bagdad, he also had many exhibitions and workshops all over Iraq in that time between 2009 and 2011 he received numerous commissions to paint in Christian and Islamic places of worship.2015 many of his Christian supporters and contractors were forced to leave Bagdad and Ali too made his way to Europe in this time, he now lives in Graz.

ISABELLA VON FREIENSTEIN

Country: Austria
Title: Grenzenlos eingegrenzt

“The biggest topic of our time is borders!

Who would have thought that?

We were already on the way to borderlessness, we drove through Europe without border controls, borders fell and at the same time the triumphal march of the borderless market began! Globalisation, world trade, financial flows. And then, for the time being, the biggest milestone on this road to borderlessness, the Internet! Boundless data that jump across all borders in real time, boundless freedom in virtual space. Should an old dream of mankind still come true? A life without borders? What happens on the Internet also happens in the analogue world of flesh and blood! Where there were no boundaries of decency, there is sheer barbarism. In fact, we now clearly see where it leads when borders fall. With them fall also taboos and values. The boundless economy and its dream of boundless progress create a boundless environmental catastrophe. Boundless fundamentalists and politicians create boundless streams of refugees that bring with them boundless misery. No wonder that the call for borders becomes loud again! But in the background of the original thinking was a single deep truth that affects all border crossers! The knowledge of the border that death sets!“

ISABELLA VON FREIENSTEIN

Country: Austria

Isabella Steindl (nee Haberl) was born in Leoben, Austria on the 22.03.1981. She is a single parent with two wonderful children and lives in the Styria capital of GRAZ since 2011.She went to school in upper Styria and finished her first profession in the catering business. Later she studied dance therapy and this laid the foundation to her next career in the social field. Between 2002 and 2005 she used her maternity leave to finish her high school diploma going on to study at GRAZ University. In 2014 her second child was born. In this time she discovered the world of colours and started painting and drawing using oil, acryl, graphite and water colours. In the spring of 2015 she went public with her works under the name of Isabella Von Freienstein and was an immediate success. She was nominated for the Kitz and Palmar awards and received the international art prize Australias Artmate International also the Michael Angelo prize in Palazzo Cardinal Cesi in Rome. She was interviewed by and featured in many international art publications such as Art Illustrated Art and Craft magazine and many other’s. Her work is autobiographical and self reflective and has great detail in figurative depiction but also leaves room for interpretation. The borders between reality and abstract art mingle and the free space within is open to dialogue. The perception of the sexes is questioned and men become women and vice versa, creating almost hermaphrodite figures that are daring and strong. Another characteristic of her art is the complex linearity that is always in motion and extremely dynamic.

ANITA VINCZE

Country: Hungary
Title: Particles and Wholeness

“This image shows small, irregular particles linked together, creating wholeness. It is a reminder that whilst barriers, frontiers and borders do exist we are all connected and are integral parts of the whole universe.”

ANITA VINCZE

Country: Hungary

Anita Vincze is a photographer and digital artist who lives and works in Budapest, Hungary. After a long period of fascination with photography, Anita completed an advanced course in Contemporary Fine Art Photography.

Anita’s photos and digital artwork have been exhibited in art galleries and recognised by awards in international photo salons. Her images are displayed in luxury hotel chains and corporate offices and are also distributed by fine art publishers.

Anita is drawn to recording beauty around us. She considers the sensor of her camera to be a raw canvas that awaits to be filled. Anita’s artwork often features vivid and vibrant color palettes; however timeless monochrome images are also beautifully presented in her portfolio.

EVA BANE

Country: Australia
Title: Ocean of Hope

“This abstract image started with the photograph of ocean ripples, as oceans connect all continents. The colors were then changed to green and yellow, which are the colors of hope. I want to convey the message that we are all connected and share similar hopes and dreams.”

EVA BANE

Country: Australia

Eva lives in sunny Sydney, Australia. She started photography as a hobby but quickly became obsessed with this art form and completed a diploma in professional photography.

Eva’s fine art photos and portraits have been exhibited in Australia, Europe and the United States and were selected by art curators to feature in collections. Her artwork is also distributed by art publishing houses.

Eva’s images are inspired by objects, patterns, textures, shapes and color combinations. She constantly experiments with new techniques and modifies them to achieve aesthetically pleasing results and reveal hidden beauty.

Eva hopes that this hidden beauty, the moments and the memories that capture her imagination will also bring joy to the viewers of my images.

BRUNO TOYA

Country: Angola
Title: see again

BRUNO TOYA

Country: Angola

Bruno was born in 1981 in Sania Pombo, Angola, he grew up in the Congo and as a child like so many others supported himself by making cars and other small items from scrap metal to sell to tourists.

He speaks numerous languages including Portuguese, Kikongo, Lingala, French, English, and German.

He trained as an artist in the Academie des Beaux-Arts de Kinshasa Congo and spent a lot of time in the studio of the famous artist maitre Alfred Liyolo he now has his studio in Graz in BAODO im NIL.

MAX DMITRIIEV

Country: Ukraine
Title: Pretender

“There is an image of a woman who expresses disguise and looks at us from above. Masks symbolize actions that are opposite from emotions. The hand is the human’s evil beginning which controls a person from inside.”

MAX DMITRIIEV

Country: Ukraine

Max Dmitriiev, 20 years old.

In 2017 finished Konotop Art School.

Studies at Konotop Medical College.

Paints using different techniques, loves working with watercolours.

TATIANA KLYMENKO

Country: Ukraine
Title: The Eye

“Tatiana has chosen the theme of the universe to express the versatility of our life and surrounding.

Universe means everyday life.

Stars are people.

Eye is the mirror of the soul.

Sun is our inner energy that we share with others.”

TATIANA KLYMENKO

Country: Ukraine

Tatiana Klymenko, 19 years old

Has been painting for a few years, but loves it very much.

When painting chooses thick paints, colours to feel every stroke.

VICTORIA BURENKO

Country: Ukraine
Title: The Art Circle

“The artwork shows the versatility of art. It doesn’t matter who you are: a painter, an actor, a writer, a musician. They are all related to the art.

The circle symbolizes a soul of an artist.

The hand shows friendship that joins people together.”

VICTORIA BURENKO

Country: Ukraine

Victoria Burenko, 16 years old.

Has studied at school.

Goes in for painting, photography. Dreams about her own camera.

ANASTASIA ZYMOVETS

Country: Ukraine
Title: The Beauty without conditions

“It is a woman wearing a wreath. Ribbons (blue and yellow- Ukraine, red and white – Austria) symbolize tight friendship between our countries. Flowers are a symbol of love that will rescue the world.”

ANASTASIA ZYMOVETS

Country: Ukraine

Anastasia Zymovets, 19 years old.

Has studied at Hadiach College of Art.

Takes part in different workshops, exhibitions, contests.

LYSA KATERINA

Country: Ukraine

Kateryna Lysa, 17 years old.

In 2019 finished school.

Goes in for painting, likes working with watercolours, oil paints and acrylic.

LYSA KATERINA

Country: Ukraine
Title: Out of boundaries (a warrior woman)

There is an image of Ukrainian modern woman.

The painting combines tender, beautiful woman with a woman-soldier. It is also a mother who protects her kids and must choose to be strong. It is a strong in spirit, free, independent Ukrainian woman of today.