Written by: Rosie Kuglie
Photos: Tomislav Marić
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Ana Barbić Katičić, a prominent academic painter from Zagreb, is one of the leading figures in contemporary Croatian art, with an impressive number of exhibitions both in Croatia and abroad. She holds the prestigious title of the creator of the trophy for “The Best FIFA Football Awards.” After graduating in law and later in painting under Professor Igor Rončević, she has been thriving in her profession.
Her conceptual design for “The Best FIFA Football Awards” trophy, awarded annually to the best in the football world, brought her international recognition and marked a turning point in her career. In the world of sports, every trophy symbolizes success, effort, and excellence, but “The Best FIFA Football Awards” trophy also stands as a powerful artistic expression.
“In late 2016, I was inspired by the idea of combining football tradition with modernity. I wanted the shape of the trophy to honor and celebrate the values of football from its beginnings to today. Thus, the trophy merges the early history of football with postmodern aesthetics and is made with cutting-edge technology,” she explains.
Through this work, she demonstrated that art can reach the widest audience. But we were curious, how did an artist from Croatia get the opportunity to design such a prestigious football trophy?
“My collaboration with FIFA started when Zvonimir Boban, a friend and great art lover, encouraged me to apply for the competition to design a new trophy. I immediately agreed and came up with a design that was later awarded. This project was a significant recognition in my career, and it won the hearts of many, from footballers to collectors.”
We asked her how she felt when she first saw her trophy.
“From the first glance at the finished trophy, during a visit to the production process at a Swiss factory, to the series of award ceremonies, I felt — in one word — unforgettable!” Ana recalls, adding:
“Watching my work on a global stage, at award ceremonies, starting with the first one and Cristiano Ronaldo’s award in 2016, and then the exceptional 2018 when our own Luka Modrić was named the best in the world, makes me proud. Such things happen to few artists…”
Working on this prestigious trophy set high standards, and Ana has become a role model for many young artists. For her, painting is not just an artistic expression; it’s a way of life, a passion that guides her through life. From figurative, thematically focused cycles of paintings, to a series of portraits that reflect her preoccupation with human emotion and character, Ana constantly evolves and changes her artistic expression.
“Since the beginning, my focus has been on painting and exhibitions. I’m happiest with a brush in hand, in my studio. Right now, I’m preparing a new series of large formats, which I adore. I don’t wait for inspiration; I paint every day. I constantly soak up the scenes and beauties around us. Experiences from everyday life are my source of creativity. I absorb everything—new experiences, smells, tastes, and colors from my travels, which I can’t imagine my life without,” she tells us.
She usually paints with acrylics on canvas but often enjoys experimenting with different materials, exploring new techniques that enrich her artistic expression. For example, at one point, she replaced traditional paint with cement and construction silicone, using them to paint on canvas…
Ana, along with her friend, fellow academic painter Nikolina Šimunović, created a brand called Art Niana. Their love for creating led them to artistic transformations of furniture, unique wallpapers, and handmade murals from ceramic tiles, which can be seen in some public spaces in Zagreb.
Because of her many interests, her days are too short for everything she wants to explore. Besides painting, she has a deep love for Paris, a city that captured her heart during her artistic residency at La Cité internationale des arts, where she held one of her first exhibitions.
One of the significant achievements in Ana Barbić Katičić’s career includes her work at the Krapina Neanderthal Museum, where she spent six intense months painting large murals, thanks to her collaboration with the museum’s creators, architect Željko Kovačić (1951–2021) and paleontologist Jakov Radovčić (1946–2021).
This project was not just an artistic challenge; it was also a kind of journey through time, and her murals depicting the spiral of time became a visual bridge between the past and present.
“I painted for months, often from heights on scaffolding, which required great physical endurance but also emotional dedication to the project. I watched the museum’s creation from its beginnings, from the concrete ‘shell’ that slowly filled with the museum’s exhibits, artifacts, and new technology, to the completion of the museum, which received many praises and awards.”
Another significant project in Ana’s opus is the Knin Museum, located in the Knin Fortress, specifically the permanent exhibition “Operation Storm ‘95,” dedicated to one of the key moments in Croatian history. This project gave Ana the opportunity to interpret a historical document through her artistic expression—the famous photograph of the Croatian flag being raised after the liberation of Knin, which she transferred into a wall painting.
Ana Barbić Katičić truly loves her job…
“Painting has existed as long as humans have. It’s a primal human urge. I feel it, always and every day. That’s why I would never change my profession. I have great support from my husband, who fully understands me, and my daughter, who in some way shares similar talents, and whom I enjoy following.”
After years of independent work, Ana found a new challenge in teaching painting at the Center for Visual Arts Education of the City of Zagreb.
“This is a place I love dearly. Besides being a happy place for many students of painting, sculpture, and ceramics for over 50 years, it holds a special feeling for me. Today, I work in the same place where I developed my artistic skills as a high school student. In addition to passing on knowledge, it fulfills me to know that I am a professional support for many in choosing a career, enrolling in art schools and academies, but also in improving their quality of life,” she says.
She is excited about the new series of paintings and the exhibition she is currently working on. Each new series represents not only a new inspiration for her but also a new chapter in her artistic career.
Ana Barbić Katičić continues to explore the boundaries of her creativity. Her work reflects her personal philosophy that every painting, every brushstroke, can be turned into an opportunity for growth, learning, and expression. As she continues to create, Ana remains a motivator and role model for many, clearly demonstrating that dedication is the key to her success.
