Biography
Pero finished high school in Tuzla, after which he enrolled in sculpture studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb (1959 – 1964), in the class of prof. Frano Kršinić. He completed his postgraduate studies at the Master’s workshop of prof. Vanje Radauš in Zagreb (1964 – 1967). His sculpture “Tears” has received several awards and was erected in Glina in 2015 as a memorial to the fallen victims of the Homeland War.
The theme of his sculptural oeuvre from the earliest beginnings in childhood to today is Nikola Tesla, whose entire series of portraits in terracotta, bronze, aluminum, from realistic to cubist ones, he executed in full figure as busts, medals, reliefs, and original compositions. For his opus on Nikola Tesla, he won an innovation award, and his work for the Tesla monument in Prague received a redemption award at an international competition.
He is the winner of many national awards for sculpture in space. Also, the author of multiple public monuments, mostly portraits, in the areas of the former Yugoslav republics.
He exhibited more than one hundred group exhibitions with various associations in the country and abroad, as well as at several independent exhibitions, including those at HAZU, City Hall and the “Ruđer Bošković” Institute in Zagreb. He has been a member of HDLU since 1965.
Throughout his lifetime, he has held and participated in numerous exhibitions in Europe, and in his late 80’s, he remains actively and passionately engaged in his artistic work.
Notable Works
His works have also been exhibited in Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, the United States, and Spain. The sculptures Mother and Child and Meditation (marble), as well as Bosanka, Madonna, and Poetry (bronze), were presented at the Salon of Nations in Paris in 1985, where they received highly favorable reviews from art critics.
He was subsequently invited to exhibit his work in Geneva, Paris, London, Tokyo, and New York. However, due to challenging personal circumstances at the time, he was not in a position to pursue these opportunities. Building both a career and a family during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s was a demanding period of life that required significant personal commitment and sacrifice.
Awards and recognitions highlights
Throughout his lifetime, he has held and participated in numerous exhibitions in Europe, and in his late 80’s, he remains actively and passionately engaged in his artistic work.
2013 – Exhibition of Tesla sculptures at the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Zagreb
2012 – Exhibition of Tesla-related works in Smiljan, the birthplace of Nikola Tesla
2012 – First prize for the monument dedicated to the fallen combatants and civilian casualties of the Croatian War of Independence in Glina – and numerous local prizes and awards
2011 – Award for the sculptures of Nikola Tesla – Nikola Tesla, genius for the future
2008 – Award at the international competition for Tesla’s monument in Prague
2006 – Exhibition of Tesla-inspired sculptures marking the 150th anniversary of Nikola Tesla’s birth, held at the Meštrović Pavilion in Zagreb
1999 – Prize for Vukovar Victims in Homeland War
1993 – Exhibition in Stuttgart, Germany
1992 – Exhibition at the City Hall of Aalen, near Stuttgart, Germany
1991 – Exhibition in Innsbruck, Austria
1989 – Retrospective exhibition: 30 Years of Work
1989 – Prize on Yugoslav competition for World War II Victims Monument (NOR) Zavidovići, BiH
1988 – Redemption prize for Antifascism Monument in Krk
1987 – 1st prize for sculpture during Art Colony in Crikvenica
1985 – Notable exhibition at the Salon des Nations in Paris, followed by invitations to exhibit in Tokyo, Geneva, London, Paris, and New York
1980 – Award on Yugoslav competition for II. World War II Victims Monument (NOR), Vrace – Sarajevo
1979 – Award for the monument “Flame” commemorating the victims of fascism in Zavidovići, Bosnia and Herzegovina
1967 – Jury award on 1st Yugoslav portrait exposition in Tuzla
1967 – Award on 1st Yugoslav sculpture symposium in Bihać (refugee camp)
