Inspired by the invisible past of the Balkans, the objects in the VilE series draw on myth, memory, and traditional craftsmanship. Each unique piece is hand-carved in Konjic, using a UNESCO-protected woodcarving technique. VilE explores the boundaries between utility and symbolism, offering multiple functions that can be discovered through play.
VilE objects are handcrafted by Zanat using a woodcarving tradition passed down through four generations of the Niksic family, owners of Zanat. Collaborating with some of the most prominent designers of our time, Zanat has developed a collection of hand-carved furniture and interior objects often referred to as functional art. In collaboration with designer, architect, and artist Michele de Lucchi, the company also created a limited edition of wall plates—pure artistic sculptures in wood. Now, Zanat enters new territory through VilE, an exceptional art project conceived by renowned Bosnian artist Šejla Kamerić.
“I wanted to create objects that are hard to define—objects that refuse to be submissive. They are art pieces, but also useful things we need in our everyday lives. VilE is about freedom—freedom of creativity and craft. These objects invite a playful approach to life.” – Šejla Kamerić
“Through this collaboration, Zanat continues to expand the boundaries of traditional craft by entering into dialogue with contemporary art. We see extraordinary value in working with artists who can open new conceptual dimensions for our heritage woodcarving techniques—revealing how craft can carry narrative, provoke thought, and participate in cultural transformation.” – Orhan Niksic, CEO and Co-founder of Zanat
The objects in the limited VilE series evoke transformation. A traditional wooden pitchfork becomes a sculptural form—shifting between tool, weapon, hanger, and toy. This polymorphism extends to the pedestals, which serve as stools, candle holders, display stands, or woodcut printing blocks. They also function as bases for the pitchforks.
The name VilE references both the pitchfork (vile in the local language) and the mythological beings of South Slavic folklore—vile, ethereal women of great beauty and magical power. The forms and patterns in the VilE series blur the lines between everyday function and the fantastical. Echoing the presence of vile in regional stories, the objects move fluidly between worlds—ritual and utility, memory and imagination, past and present. Through VilE, Šejla Kamerić and Zanat open a space for contemporary ritual—where traditional craft becomes a site of transformation, storytelling, and re-enchantment.
VilE will debut as an immersive exhibition opening on 14 August on the ground floor of the National Gallery, with entrance through Home of Zanat. The opening ceremony will also mark the first anniversary of Home of Zanat, Zanat’s flagship store and event hub, located within the building of the National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo.
Šejla Kamerić is one of the most prominent contemporary artists from Southeast Europe. Her work spans film, photography, installation, and performance, often exploring themes of memory, identity, and the psychological impact of war. Rooted in deeply personal and political narratives, Kamerić’s artworks are part of major institutional collections and have been presented internationally at institutions such as Tate Modern, London; Kunsthalle Wien; La Triennale di Milano; MAXXI, Rome; and during the 60th Venice Biennale in 2024
About Zanat
Zanat is a design brand from Bosnia and Hercegovina renowned for its fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. Rooted in a four-generation old family woodcarving heritage and their 105-year-old business, now part of UNESCO world heritage, Zanat specializes in creating high-end hand-carved furniture, accessories and interior fixtures that transcend functionality to become true works of art. Zanat collaborates with globally renown designers to craft pieces that are not only aesthetically striking but also deeply sustainable, using ethically sourced materials and promoting artisanal techniques. Celebrated for its unique designs and cultural significance, Zanat embodies a commitment to preserving tradition alongside creativity and innovation, making it a standout name in the world of contemporary design.
