With the passing of Džeko Hodžić—a distinguished academic painter and a prominent figure on the Bosnian-Herzegovinian art scene—Bosnia and Herzegovina has lost an artist whose body of work enriched our cultural landscape for decades and carried his distinct artistic identity far beyond the country’s borders.

Beyond his own creative output, Džeko Hodžić made a significant contribution to the development and promotion of the visual arts through his active involvement in professional associations. He was a long-standing member of the Association of Visual Artists of Bosnia and Herzegovina, serving on its artistic and governing bodies; he was also the founder and President of the Assembly of the Association of Visual Artists of Sarajevo Canton, as well as a member of the Council of the Počitelj International Art Colony. Through his efforts, he helped strengthen the artistic community and preserve a space for free, authentic creative expression.

He received numerous accolades for his work, including the international “Premio Mandraccio” award, the Grand Prix for drawing at the “Drawing Annals” (Anale crteža) event in Mostar, and the “Silver Snowflake” (Srebrena pahuljica) award from the Sarajevo Winter festival and the Center for Peace. Today, his works can be found in galleries, museums, and private collections both within Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad.

The passing of Džeko Hodžić serves as a reminder of the enduring value of art, and of our responsibility to preserve, study, and promote the creative work that shapes the cultural identity of our society. The artist leaves, but his work continues to live on through images, memories, encounters with the public and the mark he leaves on generations to come.