Step into the intense and immersive world of TARWUK, the artist duo officially formed in 2014 by Bruno Pogačnik Tremow and Ivana Vukšić. Far from a conventional partnership, their collaboration is described as a ‘condition’ or ‘singularity,’ prioritizing a dissolution of individual identity and a deep engagement with artistic process.
TARWUK’s methodology is a dynamic integration of drawing, painting, sculpture, and installation. These diverse mediums are not ends in themselves but rather ‘venues to explore a collaborative approach.’ Central to their practice is the metaphorical concept of ‘theatre,’ which serves as a multi-modal, transdisciplinary framework that blends various skills and materials. The result is often described as transient stage sets or ‘harmonic percolators’ that actively draw the viewer into their unique aesthetic.
The profound impact of their shared upbringing in socialist Yugoslavia and the Croatian War of Independence (1991-1995) is palpable in their work. This history informs the bleak undertones and deep explorations of trauma, loss, and ethnic purges. Through a ‘tenderly grotesque aesthetic,’ TARWUK delves into themes of the unconscious, memory, and identity, presenting disfigured human forms that seamlessly blend dystopian and science fiction elements with archaeological and totemic qualities.
Their sculptures are crafted from visceral and bodily materials, including leather, bones, human teeth, resin, and scrap metal. These components are often presented in muted colors that evoke flesh and bones, symbolizing both profound conflict and the potential for regeneration. Ultimately, TARWUK aims to construct an alternative mythology, seeking meaning in a disoriented world and envisioning a future where collective identity triumphs over individualism.
TARWUK has garnered significant institutional recognition for their compelling work. Solo exhibitions have been held at Collezione Maramotti (Italy, 2021), Matthew Brown (Los Angeles, 2021 and 2024), and the Museum of Fine Art (Osijek, Croatia, 2017). The duo also has a solo show scheduled for 2025 at Salon Galić (Split, Croatia) and has a forthcoming exhibition scheduled for later in 2026 at White Cube (London). Their art has been featured in numerous group exhibitions internationally, including the Frye Museum (Seattle, 2022), the Drava Art Biennale (Osijek, Croatia, 2020), MO.CO. Montpellier Contemporain (France, 2024), and Lafayette Anticipations (Paris, 2023). Represented by prominent galleries such as White Cube, Matthew Brown, and KOSAKU KANECHIKA, TARWUK’s pieces are also held in public collections worldwide, including The Al Thani Collection (Paris), The Bunker (West Palm Beach), Collezione Maramotti (Italy), and the Zabludowicz Collection (London). Critics consistently describe their art as ‘visceral’ and ‘unsettling,’ noting its potent capacity to engage with ideas of metamorphosis, the deterioration of the human form, fragmented narratives, and psychological processes.