Izvor Pende began his artistic journey at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb, where he enrolled in sculpture in 1996. However, he soon realized that painting was his true passion and moved to Germany to continue his studies at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. He graduated in 2002 in the class of Professor Karin Rissa and completed his master’s degree in 2005.

Pende’s artistic path is marked by continuous exploration and development. His early works were rooted in figuration and landscapes, but over time he gradually turned towards abstraction. The pure abstraction that defines his work today stems from his reflections on the boundaries of painting and his exploration of expressiveness through color, form, and structure. Although he abandoned figuration, he retained a sense of organic structures, still present in his abstract works. His canvases are characterized by dynamic brushstrokes, layered compositions, and bold use of color.

A key aspect of Pende’s practice is composition. His paintings often balance between control and spontaneity, using abstraction as a tool to experiment with space and equilibrium. By discovering new relationships between color, form, and line, his works avoid explicit narratives and are conceived as open forms, inviting the viewer to personal interpretation and experience.

Color in Pende’s work is not merely an aesthetic component but an active element that shapes the entire composition. Applied in layers and subtle shades, color adds a tactile dimension to his paintings. Through this multilayered approach, his works reflect dynamism not only in form but also in materiality, creating a sensorial quality that shifts depending on the viewer’s perspective.

The evolution of his work reflects an artist who constantly questions his own expression and seeks new ways to bring painting closer to the contemporary audience. He does not limit himself to technical rules or expectations but creates a space of freedom where colors, lines, and shapes merge into a unique visual experience.

With his creative practice, Izvor Pende continually explores new boundaries of abstraction. His dedication to art and visual expression makes him a significant figure on both the Croatian and international contemporary art scene.

His career began to gain momentum during his studies. Since 2003, he has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows across Germany, including Bonn, Munich, Hannover, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg, as well as in Belgium, the United States, and Croatia. His work has been recognized and awarded, with one of the highlights being his nomination for the BAT (British American Tobacco) Prize in 2008. In 2010, he held his first solo exhibition at Galerija Bačva in Zagreb, marking the beginning of continuous exhibitions in his homeland.

A particularly important period in his career was his collaboration with German painter Daniel Richter on the project Swimming Together. Through this project, their works were presented in several major Croatian museums, including the Gallery of Fine Arts in Split, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb, and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rijeka.

In 2019, Pende presented his solo exhibition Golden Hours at David Richard Gallery in New York. This entry onto the American art scene further strengthened his international profile and confirmed his position as an important representative of contemporary abstract painting. That same year, he participated in the Venice Biennale as part of the exhibition Point of Interrupted Departures, together with artists Mariana Pende and Slaven Tolj, reaffirming his role at the center of the global art stage.

Recent exhibitions include shows at Zahorian Van Espen, Bratislava (2023, 2024), Rodler Gschwenter Galerie, Vienna (2022, 2024), Intent Gallery, Dubai (2024), and Galerija Forum, Zagreb (2024). Pende’s works are part of museum collections as well as private collections.