A history lesson depicted on copper
- Edo and Saša are a tandem of coppersmiths from Mostar
- They started working together in 2015
- The history of their homeland is their main source of inspiration
In 2015, Edo Kurt and Saša Milićević became business partners, as well as being long-term friends since elementary school. Edo inherited their coppersmith workshop in the centre of the southern Bosnian city of Mostar from his father, with whom he had learned the craft. He invited Saša to join him on this journey of breathing life into copper and selling their artworks inspired by Bosnia’s fascinating history. Just like Edo's father, Edo and Saša engrave their love for their hometown and homeland in their copper works. Mostar's Old Bridge, which is located just a few steps from their workshop on Kujundžiluk Street, is a frequent motif in their works.
INTERVIEW
For years Edo's father collected motifs from the Bosnian medieval stećci tombstones and replicated them in copper. We do the same in the hope that in this way we encourage new generations to study, nurture and preserve our rich cultural heritage.
We use traditional copper shaping methods preserved by Bosnian coppersmiths for hundreds of years to redesign traditional Bosnian objects and create new works of art inspired by them. Our works aim to preserve tradition.
It may sound strange, but we enjoy listening to the sound of the hammer hitting the copper. The rhythm of hammer beats changes from strong to weak, fast to slow. It is almost like composing music. Therefore, we often imagine our work as music reflected in metal.
After the copper is sculpted, its surface is treated with various oxidation processes that create a special layer that highlights the relief and movement of the composition. For this, we use our secret recipes and tricks that we do not share with anyone.
