KOLOOPANAK
Perković’s artistic practice delves into traditional motifs and cultural identity, reinterpreting them through a contemporary lens. In her work Koloopanak, she examines the opanak, a traditional Dalmatian folk shoe, as both a physical artifact and a symbol of cultural continuity. Through sculptural installations and wire-based spatial drawings, she investigates themes of heritage, memory, and collective identity in an era of rapid globalization. Inspired by a visit to the Sinjska Alka Museum, she developed a series of wire structures that abstractly reference traditional footwear, transforming a culturally rich object into a minimalist, conceptual form.
By stripping down the opanak to its essential lines and contours, Perković highlights the tension between nostalgia and cultural preservation in the face of contemporary consumerism. Her work invites viewers to reconsider the value of local traditions, urging younger generations to explore their roots and sustain cultural heritage in a rapidly changing world.
