BIOGRAPHY

Having been born in Croatia, Marinko Pipunic's love for his home country has never diminished over the years. He has continued to keep a close eye on Croatia as it struggled from turmoil to peace. Marinko is aware that there is still beauty to behold in his beloved land. Since coming to Canada, Marinko has always been involved with the Waterloo Region Croatian Community. He is the director and programmer for the Croatian Radio Program, Sound FM (100.3).

ARTISTIC BACKGROUND

Marinko's love for painting began as a child. Oil portraits and landscapes continue to be his passion. In the past decade he has exhibited in at least 35 shows, both group and solo, in Croatia, Holland and Canada. When he moved to Fort McMurray, Alberta, in 1975, he was a member of the Society of Artists until 1989.

Marinko is still an active member of the art community, and has been a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Society of Artists for the past decade. His work was selected for display at the 3rd Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery Biennial in 2007. More recently, Marinko participated in the world's first Art Fashion Show, at the Art for All Canada conference in 2011. His work is also included in the Kitchener-Waterloo "Talent Next Door" book, featuring the works of local artists.

COLLECTIONS

Marinko's work is in the collections of: The Vatican in Rome, Italy; The Recreation Centre, Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada; and the Calgary Museum, Alberta, Canada. His portrait of Dr. Fran Tudjman, past president of Croatia, was hanging in the Croatian parliament buildings after the war.