Bernard Šimunović (*1974) is a Croatian artist working between Croatia and Germany.
Education
1990–1992 Academy of Fine Arts Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (studies interrupted due to the war)
1995–1999 Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Germany — Visual Communication and Painting (Diploma), Prof. Jochen Geilen
Fellowships
1996–1997 Artist Residency, Aldegrever-Gesellschaft, Münster, Germany — Zeichner Untertage Project
1996–1999 Albertus Magnus Verein Fellowship, Germany
Early Career / Professional Experience
1992 Assistant to Croatian artist Branimir Čilić, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
1999–2002 IWT (Institute for Science and Technology Studies), Bielefeld University, Germany ,Scientific Researcher / Designer
2002 Founder of Design Office
Solo Exhibitions
2026 Tiha poezija – Silent Poetry, City Art Gallery Metković, Croatia
2022 Kantgaragen, STILWERK Berlin, Berlin, Germany
2020 Jockey Club, Hong Kong
2019 Kutleša Gallery, Goldau, Switzerland
2017 Nit života, Pikto Gallery, Zagreb, Croatia
2013 Bürgerhaus Essen, Essen, Germany
2012 Lebensfaden (Thread of Life), Berswordt-Halle, Dortmund, Germany
2011 Observation II, Blaues Haus, Dortmund, Germany
1999 Merkatorhalle, Duisburg, Germany
1997 Zeichner Untertage, Aldegrever-Gesellschaft, Münster, Germany
1996 Observations, St. Joseph Church, Bielefeld, Germany
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025 Otvara vrata, Galerija Uremović, Trogir, Croatia
2024 Singulart, Dorotheen Quartier, Stuttgart, Germany
2023 One Night in Paris, Home Collette, New York, USA
2022 In the Wake of Movement, Artplex Gallery, Los Angeles, USA
2022 Life in Colors – Colorful, Powerful, Beautiful, f6 – the open factory, Vienna, Austria
2020 Paul Smith No. 9 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London, UK
2020 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, USA
2018 Art Acacia, San Francisco, USA
2016 Artwista Gallery, Berlin, Germany
2015 Gemischte Tüte, Kulturort Depot, Dortmund, Germany
2014 Gemischte Tüte, Atelierhaus Westfalenhütte, Dortmund, Germany
2013 44|88 ArtRaum, Berlin, Germany
2013 Studios 26 Gallery, New York, USA
2013 Bushwick Open Studios, New York, USA
2000 Zeichner Untertage, Zeche Friedrich-Heinrich, Kamp-Lintfort, Germany
2000 Zeichner Untertage, Galerie FH Bielefeld, Germany
1998 KHG, Bielefeld, Germany
1997 Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF), Bielefeld, Germany
1996 Sarajevo – A Wounded City, UNESCO travelling exhibition (Europe & New York)
1995 Merkatorhalle, Duisburg, Germany
1992 Stop the War in Croatia, with Croatian artist Branimir Čilić, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
1991 Galerie der Akademie, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Art Fairs
2013 Art Monaco, Monaco
2013 AAF – Affordable Art Fair, Brussels, Belgium
2013 International Art Expo, New York, USA
2002 Art Fair OWL, Kunsthalle Bielefeld, Germany
2001–2002 Creations, Art Fair Sinsheim, Germany
Collections
Akademie Schloss Solitude, Stuttgart, Germany (Acrylic on paper, ca. 2000, early Thread of Life work)
Universitätsgesellschaft e.V. Bielefeld
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Further works in private collections across Europe, the United States, and Asia
Film & Television
2022 — Love Letters for You (collage, acrylic on canvas, 100 × 70 cm, 2019), featured in the TV series Rabbit Hole (CBS Studios / Paramount+, starring Kiefer Sutherland), restaurant scene, Toronto
Book Covers
2022 — Cover artwork Bay of Love (acrylic on canvas, 155 × 155 cm, 2019) for Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, I dolori del giovane Werther — Prima stesura (The Sorrows of Young Werther, first version), edited by Maria Fancelli, with a contribution by Jonathan Bazzi, Letteratura universale series, Marsilio Editori, Venice (ISBN 978-88-297-1130-7)
2020 — Cover artwork Embrace (acrylic on canvas, 70 × 100 cm, 2017) for Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Le affinità elettive (Elective Affinities), translated and introduced by Paola Capriolo, edited by Giuliano Baioni, Letteratura universale series, Marsilio Editori, Venice (ISBN 978-88-297-0508-5)
Press & Publications (Selection)
Capital · Manager Magazin · FOCUS · Stern · ICON · Vogue · IDEAT
On Art Aesthetics – The complex simplicity of Bernard Šimunović
Representation
Artplex Gallery, Los Angeles, USA
Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, USA
Online: Singulart · Saatchi Art · 1stDibs ·· Artsy · Artnet
Contact
bernard-simunovic.com
info@bernard-simunovic.com