The wind and a Girl

Green Pear

English Rose

I was born and brought up in Subotica (former Yugoslavia, now Serbia) and emigrated to Britain in 1991. I was always interested in art and only had an opportunity to entertain that idea once I moved to the UK, where support for such a career seemed better. My father is still telling me to get a proper job! I studied Fine Art at De Montfort University, as a mature student, and, what felt like a long time after that, started working as a professional artist. Things have taken off since then and I am spending nearly all of my time either working in the studio or driving around the country dropping off or picking up sculptures. This has particularly been the case since joining the Surrey Sculpture Society.

I am known as Jericho, to most people; a name given to me by my wife and now adopted as an alias. My parents didn't have the foresight to give me a name like 'Peter' so I'm lumbered with Zeljko which most people find hard to fathom and remember.

My portfolio consists not only of sculptures but also paintings and drawings. However, what I love doing most is to bash some stone or do a 'manly' bit of welding. The only thing I don't get on with is wood. Hats off to anyone brave enough to do it, but it is just not for me. I find wood too awkward and you've either got it or not - bit like watercolours.

I have had a number of commissions for paintings and sculptures, both abstract and figurative, for corporate clients and individuals. I like working to commissions but I mainly work for 'myself'. My work is generally informed by what is around me in terms of material as well as my surroundings. I end up using a lot of reclaimed materials, with this approach. It suits me well to make something out of nothing - which is what I understand a job of an artist is.

View my website http://www.zeljko.co.uk/