In an interview with Sara Skoda for Croatians Online, Kat Coric shared the poignant story behind her art, underscoring her enduring connection to her homeland, Dubrovnik. Born in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and currently based in Montreal, Coric’s multifaceted career as an artist, activist, and art collector has been profoundly shaped by her experiences during the Croatian Homeland War of the early 1990s.
Kat Coric’s childhood was deeply intertwined with her Croatian heritage. Her parents, Ivan and Marija Coric, instilled in her a strong sense of her roots, speaking Croatian at home and celebrating traditional meals. This cultural immersion was further enriched by frequent visits to Dubrovnik. However, in 1991, as Coric prepared to participate in an archaeological excavation in her hometown, the onset of the Homeland War abruptly changed her plans. The conflict marked a period of intense sorrow and despair for many Croatians, especially those living in the diaspora.
In the midst of this turmoil, Coric turned to her art as a means of coping and expressing her feelings. The result was a series of paintings collectively titled “The Effects of the War on the Artist.” Through these works, Coric sought to convey her emotional turmoil and solidarity with those suffering in Croatia. In 1996, with the support of her great uncle, Professor Filip Potrebica, Coric’s paintings embarked on a three-city tour of Croatia, including Zagreb, Pozega, and Dubrovnik.
Reflecting on this period, Coric remarked, “At the time, I really didn’t know what else to do, in order to communicate a message of support to my fellow Croatians at such a terrible time in history. I wanted them to feel what I was feeling and I wanted them to know that I was thinking of them every day. I can say this period in my life was a time when I really felt the most helpless and the only thing that saved me was my art.”
Three decades later, Coric’s commitment to her homeland remains unwavering. In July 2024, the Homeland War Museum in Dubrovnik unveiled one of her most significant paintings from the 1991 series, “Moja Domovina – My Homeland.” This oil painting, a raw and evocative representation of Coric’s inner turmoil during the war, has been donated to the museum as a tribute to her beloved hometown and a memorial to those who lost their lives during the conflict.
Kat Coric’s story is a testament to the power of art as a means of personal and collective healing. Her journey from a young artist grappling with the horrors of war to a respected figure in both the art world highlights the profound impact that one individual’s experiences and talents can have on a broader community. As her painting finds a permanent home in Dubrovnik, it stands as a symbol of resilience, connection, and hope for future generations.
(Photo of ‘Moja Domovina’ painting by Kat Coric now located in the Dubrovnik Homeland War Museum)
To follow Kat Coric on social media for updates and more about going on about her work:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kat.coricINSTIGATOR?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kat_coric_official/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-%C4%87ori%C4%87-a2650547/
To learn more about the Dubrovnik Homeland War Museum, please visit their website: https://mdrd.hr/eng/
(Photo of Kat Coric by Andréa Robert Lezak Photography)
Listen to Croatians Online here:
Croatian American Media Association Corp is a tax exempt organization under Section 501 c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (EIN # 99-1591741). Your donation is greatly appreciated and will be used to support our mission. Your contribution is tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.
