Duška Boban is a Split-based artist and educator. She graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts, University of Zagreb , under the mentorship of Professor Ante Kuduz. She completed her postgraduate studies in visual communications at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Her research on urban identity culminated in her master’s thesis titled “Public Space and Civic Participation: Activism and Cultural Practices in Split during the Last Decade,” mentored by Professor Eduard Čehovin and Associate Professor Feđa Vukić, PhD. Since 2024, she has been enrolled in the interdisciplinary artistic doctoral program at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design, University of Ljubljana.

Boban has a rich history of involvement in art and culture organizations. She was a founder and board member of EKSCENTAR, a non-profit organization that organized international summer art workshops on the island of Šolta. She ran the design and art studio PROFESIONALCI+. Her participation in various art programs includes Art Workshop Šolta ), Expression of Youth Art Print Residency in Urbino, Italy, and the “Design for Social Change” Summer Residency Program at the School of Visual Arts, NYC, USA. In 2021, she underwent the Therapeutic Photography training program by Neil Gibson PhD.

In 2011, Boban initiated the non-formal organization “For Marjan,” which conducted public space actions to raise awareness about local cultural and natural heritage, especially from the 20th century. For seventeen years, she taught Photography, Video, and Media Projects at the School for Design, Graphics, and Sustainable Building in Split. She has also led various photography workshops, including training courses within Erasmus+ programs, educating different kinds of educators from across the EU on incorporating photography into their teaching practices. Last year, as a guest lecturer, she sailed on the Japanese Peace Boat, which advocates for peace, human rights, and sustainable development, where she conducted workshops and delivered lectures on using photography for social change and personal development.

In 2019, Duška Boban, in collaboration with journalist Nikola Bajto and the Croatian Maritime Museum Split as a co-publisher, released the book of photographs and essays titled “Amorella – The Floating City.” This publication is part of an exhibition project of the same name and aims to promote Split’s shipbuilding heritage while critically exploring urbanism in a broader context. In 2024, Boban won the RADNIČKO competition, for which she realized ARCHITECTURE as an intervention in the building of the Public Open University Zagreb. 

Considering the genesis of Duška Boban’s artistic work in theoretical and practical terms, she explores psychogeography, critical realism, museological practices and archives, agitational cultural policies, and participatory tactics. Her strategies for using the photographic medium are constantly evolving, having transitioned from manipulating digital photographs in collages to animating and programming photographic images, as well as creating site-specific installations and projections. She also engages with classic forms, such as analogue formats, often organized and fixed into polyptychs and photographic series.

Nevertheless, since the beginning of her artistic career, she has remained dedicated to themes related to the identity of the city. These themes are necessarily heterogeneous and pluralistic, yet inseparable from questions of continuity, collective memory, and the motives behind inevitable urban changes.

In addition to that, her recent artistic work, partly based on the theory and practice of therapeutic photography, delves into cultural theories of identity, ecosystems, and relationship dynamics. This research explores how photography can be utilized to examine self-image, interpersonal relationships, personal narratives, and social perspectives.

Duška Boban is a member of the Croatian Association of Artists of Applied Arts (ULUPUH), Zagreb; Croatian Association of Fine Arts (HULU), Split; KVART Association of Contemporary Art, Split; and Art Program Board of the public hospital Gallery Zoja Dumengjić. She is actively involved in the artistic community. Her photographs are part of the art collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Split.

Solo Exhibitions:

2024 ARHITEKSTURA / an artistic intervention on the building of the Zagreb Public Open University, realized as part of the RADNIČKO competition, with curatorial support from Jelena Pašić

2024 TO CARE AND TO BE / conceptual participatory art project; workshop and exhibition realized in collaboration with KBC Split, HULU Split, KBC Sestre milosrdnice, and Ligatura Gallery; Ligatura Gallery, KBC Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb

2021 GRAIN-19 / exhibition of photographs, Museum of Fine Arts, curated by Jasminka Babić, organisation: Museum of Fine Arts, Split

2021 GRAIN-19 / exhibition of photographs, Prozori Gallery, Zagreb, curated by Irena Bekić, organisation: Zagreb City Libraries

2019 2020 AMORELLA – A FLOATING CITY / exhibition of photographs, Technical Musem Nikola Tesla, Zagreb, curators: Jasminka Babić, Markita Franulić; organisation: Tehnički muzej Nikola Tesla 

2019 THE SEA AS A COMMON PLACE / multimedia exhibition at m/s Amorella, Viking Line – The Stockholm ~Mariehamn ~ Turku rute / curator: Jasmina Šarić / organisation: International Master’s Programme Stockholm University

2019 AMORELLA – A FLOATING CITY / exhibition of photographs, MKC Split Gallery/Youth Centre, curator: Jasminka Babić; Organisation: Multimedia Cultural Centre Split 

2018 VILA DALMACIJA / exhibition of photographs, Photo Gallery LANG, curator: Želimir Koščević, organized by Fotum Association

2017 SPLIT *** THREE STARS / exhibition of photographs / Salon Galić Gallery / curator: Silva Kalčić, organized by Croatian Association of Visual Arts Split

2015 MODERN ARCHITECTURE OF TROGIR 1945.-1990., Trogir Town Museum, with Neli Ružić, curator: Lidija Mićin Butković; as a part of MOTEL TROGIR project.

2012 “Gold”, billboard in Cisti Provo, Croatia, as a part of the project “Culture in the village” organized by the Association of Contemporay Art KVART and the Croatian Association of Visual Artists in Split 

2011 Urban life hasn’t begun yet, billboard in Heinzelova street in Zagreb, as a part of the public art project Plane/Surface curated by Silva Kalčić, Zagreb

2011 Diary, exhibition of photographs, Month of Photography in Dubrava Cultural Centre, Zagreb

2008 Suburban herbarium, digital photo-drawings, Croatian Academy of Science and Art in Split, Croatia

2000 Paintings, exhibition of paintings, Gallery of Matica Hrvatska, Zagreb, Croatia

1999 Wood on Velvet, exhibition of paintings, Art Net Club, Zagreb

Group Exhibitions, selection:

2024 BOMBARDELLI 2024: EXPERIMENT- 57 TODAY, Salon Galić, Split; curator: Nataša Bodrožić; organized by: Association Slobodne veze and HULU Split in collaboration with FGAG, Split

2024 THE VISIBLE ONES, women artists in art collections of museum institutions in Croatia; Art Gallery Dubrovnik (from April 13)

2024 THE VISIBLE ONES, women artists in art collections of museum institutions in Croatia; Museum of Fine Art Split

2024 58. ZAGREB SALON, Don’t do it yourself, Lauba Gallery, Zagreb

2023 FLOODLIT ROOM – WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHIC PRACTICE IN CROATIA, Tehnical Museum Nikola Tesla, organisation: Art Pavilion, Zagreb; exhibition author: Sandra Križić Roban; curator: Jasminka Poklečki Stošić

2023 THE VISIBLE ONES, women artists in art collections of museum institutions in Croatia; Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb / curator: Martina Munivrana in collaboration with Jasminka Babić, Branka Benčić, Valentina Radoš and Rozana Vojvoda

2022 INITIAL EXHIBITION OF THE ZOJA DUMENGJIĆ GALLERY; Grain-19: Firule Hospital and Križine Hospital; KBC Split (Public Hospital of Split); organisation: HULU Split

2022 FEAR – QUATER and Friends, group exhibition of the Association of Contemporay Art KVART, curator: Ana Čukušić, Gallery KVART, Split, Croatia

2021 41. SPLITSSALON: Not definitely lost to each other; curator: Ivana Meštrov; Salon Galić Gallery; organisation: HULU Split

2021 (Dis)Trust The Storyteller. The Case KRVAVICA Children Health Resort, Salon Galić from October 4 to 15, 2021

2020 THE OTHER CITY A Selection of Works by Contemporary Artists from Split and Dubrovnik; Museum of Fine Arts in Split; curators: Jasminka Babić and Rozana Vojvoda

2020 27th SLAVONIAN BIENNALE: THE IMAGE AS A VIRUS, Museum of Fine Arts in Osijek, curator: Valentina Radoš

2020 THE OTHER CITY A Selection of Works by Contemporary Artists from Split and Dubrovnik; Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik; curators: Jasminka Babić and Rozana Vojvoda

2020 60. POREČ ANNALS: LONELY PLANET – A Journey Into The Heart Of Domestic Tourism; Istrian Chamber, Poreč; kurator: Leila Topić

2019 BEHIND THE CLOSED DOORS / Exhibition of art works in the collection of The Museum of Fine Arts in Split / The Old Town Hall, Split / Curators: Branko Franceschi, Jasminka Babić and Eleonora Klein

2018 IT IS NOT FUTURE THAT ALWAYS COMES AFTER / A review of the artistic production of the Motel Trogir project 2014-2018 / MKC Split Gallery – Youth Centre, curator: Nataša Bodrožić // 11 – 31 October 2018

2018 40TH SPLIT SALON / THE ART OF SURVIVAL – “Why It Is Important To Collect Contemporary Art?” Curator: Branko Franceschi // 

2018 THE UNALINED – Week For People And Art, exhibition and trade program, Lauba, Zagreb

2018 THE NEW MUSEUM COLLECTION DISPLAY “From the 60’s to today: Art & Society”/ Museum of Fine Arts Split / curated by: Jasminka Babić and Marija Stipišić Vuković

2017 The 52nd ZAGREB SALON OF APPLIED ART AND DESIGN, “The In/Applicability of Applied Art” Mimara Museum, October 5 to October 28, 2017 / organised by: the Croatian Association of Artists of the Applied Arts – ULUPUH

2017 ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEMPORARY ART / Museum of Fine Arts Split / Curated by Jasminka Babić & Branko Franceschi

2015 “FILLING THE EMPTINESS 20150318-28 MMIIM” / Exhibition of Multimedia and Intermedia Section of Croatian Association of Artists of Applied Arts, ULUPUH Gallery , Tkalčićeva 14, Zagreb

2014 “The Final Showdown”, exhibition of the Association of Contemporay Art KVART, public space , District of Trstenik, Split

2013 38. Split Salon „Fantasizing – Dislocating“, billboard at the northern entrance to the Marjan tunnel, Split

2012 “Stories about the city” : MARJAN / exhibition of photographs in Palazzo del Duca, Senigallia, Italy / organisation by the Croatian Association of Visual Artists in Split 

2011 37. Split Salon „Izlagati (se)“, basement of the Diocletian’s palace, Split

2009 Trstenik – Beach, exhibition of the Association of Contemporay Art KVART, District of Trstenik, Split

2009 THE KICK, poster exhibition, Art Conservation Gallery and Tončićeva street, Split (manager, participant )

2009 City View, presntation of artist from Split, Pula, Croatia

2009 43rd Zagreb Salon, Pablic garage Kvaternikov trg, Zagreb, Croatia

2008 Trstenik Underground, Culture Festival KVART, public garage in Trstenik District, Split, Croatia

2007 Trstenik Open, Culture Festival KVART, public space of Trstenik District, Split, Croatia

2007 Here and There , 11 young artist from Split, Čakoevec Museum, Čakovec, Croatia

2006 ST X-Generation, Vladimir Nazor Gallery, Zagreb, Croatia

2006 QUARTER, exhibition of the Association of Contemporay Art KVART, Split, Croatia

2005 Split / New York, exhibition of photography, Photo Club Split, Croatia

2004 Watching ( D.B. : Dinner invitation), Motovun Film Festival, Motovun, Croatia

2004 On the way home, multimedia exhibition after author’s selection, Diocletian’s cellars, Split, Croatia

2003 Life&Art, exhibition of contemporary photography in Split, Art Gallery, Split, Croatia & Art Gallery ,Bjelovar, Croatia

2002 101 Individuals from Split, exhibition of photographs, Photo Club Split, Croatia

2002 International Exhibition of Drawings, Modern Gallery, Rijeka, Croatia

2002 1st Graphic Showroom, Banova vila, Rab, Croatia

2001 Art Workshop Solta 3, Cultural Youth Centre, Split, Croatia

2000 Art Workshop Šolta 2, Gallery of Matica Hrvatska, Zagreb

1999 Expression of Youth, Urbino, Italy

1999 2nd Croatian Triennial of Drawings, Hall of Croatian Fine Art Society, Zagreb, Croatia

1999 Art Workshop Šolta 1,Salon Galić, Split, Croatia & Gallery of the Student Centre, Zagreb, Croatia

Educational Work

2022 – … | Svjetlopis / Scarabay Photography www.scarabay-photography.com
Therapeutic Photography Practitioner, Workshop Facilitator, Teacher Trainer

2021 – 2023 | Erasmus Courses, Croatia
Teacher Trainings: Therapeutic Photography, Mindful Photography, Photo Essay, Photovoice

2005 – … | School for Design, Graphics and Sustainable Building, Split
Subjects: 2D Animation, Photography, Video, Media Projects

Public Lectures & Talks

• 2025 “Amorella & Mertime Cultural Heritage”, lecture and public talk, The Night of The Museums, Brodosplit Shipyard Museum in Split
• 2023  “Photography as a Tool for Social Change and Personal Development”, lecture, M/S Pacific World, Peace Boat Organisation (Route: Colombo – Langkawi – Singapore – Hong Kong – Yokohama)
• 2023  Presentation of Artistic Projects, M/S Pacific World, Peace Boat Organisation (Route: Colombo – Langkawi – Singapore – Hong Kong – Yokohama)
• 2023 On Therapeutic Photography, lecture and workshop, Program: Tools for Education with Artistic Perception for Open Transmission (TEAPOT) of University Zadar, Exhibition Hall of the Scientific Library in Zadar
• 2021  Photo Tuesday: Therapeutic and Mindful Photography, Fotoklub Split
• 2021  “Instead of a Finissage: ZRNO-19”, discussion, organisation: the Gallery of Fine Arts, Split
• 2020  “Photography in Dialogue with the City”, lecture and work presentation, Festival of Visual Culture KOMBO, Split
• 2020  “Writing About the City”, lecture and workshop for the Croatian Section of the International Association of Art Critics (HS AICA), Split
• 2019  “Amorella – A Floating City”, discussion and book presentation, Multimedia Cultural Centre, Split
• 2019  “Amorella – A Floating City”, discussion and book presentation, Technical Museum Nikola Tesla, Zagreb
• 2019  “The Sea as a Common Place”, public talk,, M/S Amorella, Viking Line (Route: Stockholm – Mariehamn – Turku)
• 2019  Photo at Noon: “Villa Dalmacija”, public talk, Office for Photography, Zagreb
• 2018  “Where is Split in the Mediterranean?”, lecture and work presentation, Fotoklub Split