Early Life & Education
- Natalija Cimeša was born in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- After initially studying political science, she pursued fine arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Trebinje (painting, with prof. Milorad Ćorović), graduating in 1999.
- She completed her master’s degree in mural painting at the Faculty of Applied Arts in Belgrade under mentor Slobodan Đuričković.
Professional Career & Academic Work
- Cimeša has served as assistant and docent in drawing and painting at both the Trebinje Academy of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Graphics and Design in Bijeljina, making her one of the youngest professors at European art academies.
- She actively combines teaching with creation in her home atelier in Bijeljina, where she also engages in impactful educational philanthropy, using proceeds from her art to purchase smart boards for local schools.
Artistic Oeuvre & Achievements
- With over 300 m² of mosaic installations and 100 sculptures produced, her multidisciplinary work spans painting, mosaic, and sculpture.
- She has participated in more than 50 group exhibitions, over 10 artist colonies, and staged around 11 major solo exhibitions across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Austria, and Germany.
- Her key thematic cycles include balerinas, nudes (aktovi), portraits, and bullfights (korida).
- She is known for large-scale paintings, including a notable work titled “Pijaca” measuring approximately 1.80 x 12 m, which reportedly sold for around €60,000, while her works typically range from €10,000 to €50,000.
- Remarkably, Hollywood figures like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are said to be among collectors of her work, along with major international corporations and collectors from the Arab world.
Notable Exhibitions & Multimedia Innovation
- In Tuzla (2013), she presented over 90 artworks across more than 200 m² at gallery “Natalija,” blending vivid palette, figurative painting, and mosaics. Her work was highly acclaimed, and one painting was reportedly acquired by Angelina Jolie.
- In Sarajevo (February 2025), she exhibited 18 oil paintings inspired by the mythological theme “Otmica Evrope” (“Kidnapping of Europe”), addressing gender dynamics, cultural values, and violence. Sixty percent of the proceeds were pledged to support the BH Historical Museum.
- In Bijeljina (Jan–Feb 2024), she staged an experimental exhibition “Stvaranje svijeta” featuring a video‑based format combining painting, light, sound, and movement. The works were later adapted into a 2½-minute video for submission to Art Basel (including branches in Miami and Hong Kong). This marked her exploration of painting as a living, evolving form.
Philosophy & Public Engagement
- Cimeša believes deeply in the cultural value of art as a legacy: “When you establish a system of values… generations to come will remember us for what is good and beautiful, not just for the bad”. She frequently engages in humanitarian art initiatives, auctions, and cultural fundraising.
- Through her educational work, she demonstrates a strong commitment to social transformation via art, particularly in supporting local school infrastructure using art‑based fundraising.
Legacy in the Making
Natalija Cimeša’s career is defined by ambitious scale, technical versatility, and visionary multimedia innovation. Her art resonates across painting, sculpture, and mosaic, while her humanitarian and educational initiatives enrich communities. Emerging from Bijeljina, she has grown into a globally recognized artist who uses art not only to beautify spaces—but to uplift society.