HUNTER GAMES: SADKO HADZIHASANOVIC

In my art practice, I am interested in camouflaging history and ideology in an ironic and often humorous way. Since I moved to Canada in 1993 I was fascinated with the new culture I found myself in and I explored a lot in the area of pop-culture and consumerism.

As an artist, I like to explore the construction of identity, and its cultural and social implications. With an extensive and ongoing portraiture-based body of work, I use an array of references to popular culture.  I am interested in referring to the environment of my upbringing in Bosnia and the relatively exotic vacation paradise of Cuba and it’s political undertones as well as Canadian culture. I paint works that contrast a childhood lived under the threat of war and an unhurried North American childhood lived without the looming presence of world affairs.

I have produced a body of work, oil paintings on copper, video, prints  and large paintings on canvas regarding the theme of hunting. Since hunting and guns are an issue in North American life and culture, this body of work is relevant to many questions we pose today: the role of government in controlling the weapons, how we educate children about guns, the role profit plays as well as  how we contribute to the resolution of the problem that we face.

The artist appreciates the support of the Ontario Arts Council.