available artwork
about the artist
Samantha Haničar, an Australian-Croatian artist, is distinguished for her exploration of architecture and memory through both drawing and sculpture. Her work is deeply influenced by the utilitarian aesthetics of Brutalist architecture, Spomeniks—WWII memorials in the former Yugoslavia—war bunkers, and the substantial concrete structures of the post-war socialist era.
Haničar’s sculptures demonstrate her fascination with the raw, industrial materials that shape our urban landscapes. She incorporates elements from road infrastructure and construction sites into her minimalist forms, utilising concrete, oxides, discarded steel, cast iron filings, and reinforcing steel bars. The addition of line-marking paint introduces subtle yet impactful bursts of colour, transforming these typically large, heavy, outdoor structures into smaller, tactile objects that provoke thought and evoke memories of past encounters with such spaces.
Her Graphite Drawings mirror this thematic connection, beginning with folded black paper that mimics architectural lines. Haničar layers thick graphite to capture the marks and imperfections of time, transforming the paper into reflective, sculptural forms that evoke the fleeting interplay of light and shadow experienced within architectural spaces.
The Core Sample series encapsulates the essence of Brutalist architecture in playful, tactile objects, while her Architectonic works, reminiscent of cut concrete slabs from structural walls and floors, highlight the unexpected allure of raw materials and industrial design. The Blockhouse series delves into the robust and rugged forms of WWII bunkers, reflecting on their historical significance and resilience. These black concrete cubes with rusted steel incorporated into the concrete symbolise fortitude and endurance.
Throughout her practice, Samantha Haničar seeks to transform the monumental into the personal, encouraging viewers to reconsider their relationship with the built environment. By emphasising form, texture, and tactile experiences, she fosters a dialogue between the raw, industrial materials of urban landscapes and the personal memories they evoke, bridging the gap between public and intimate domains.
Artist Statement
The Void series focuses on the spaces often overlooked—the voids within the solid forms of public structures. By casting concrete into minimalist shapes, this series draws attention to the negative spaces that define these forms, exploring the dynamic tension between mass and emptiness. Each sculpture transforms monumental public spaces like pools and skateparks into intimate, scaled-down sculptures that invite observers to engage both physically and emotionally with the work.
These sculptures are not merely objects of visual interest; they serve as portals to shared memories. By encouraging tactile exploration, the series prompts individuals to recall and connect with the collective memories that pools and skateparks hold—places of social gatherings and personal moments. This interaction deepens the observer’s understanding of how architectural voids shape our collective and individual experiences, influencing our perceptions of communal environments.
Through Voids, I aim to shift perspectives on architectural spaces. The series invites deeper engagement with our built environment, highlighting how the emptiness of these public spaces can be as significant as the structures themselves, filled with memories and meanings that resonate collectively.
Samantha Haničar
