Zorica Purlija

Graduating in 1989 with an Associate Diploma in graphic design and photography with Distinction in Photography at The University of Western Sydney, Zorica spent some years travelling through Europe, experiencing life and art. She returned to Australia, began a family and devoted herself to full time mothering.

Since 1999, Zorica has been pursuing her artistic vision, through the medium of photography.

She continues to exhibit widely, and her public profile continues to build, including internationally, exhibiting in Chelsea New York,Venice and Zurich. She has been a finalist in the National Photographic Portrait Prize, Canberra, three years consecutively, twice in Sydney’s HeadOn Portrait Prize, a finalist in the William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize Melbourne, Mama Art Foundation Photography Prize in Albury, the Josephine Urlick Award in Queensland and the Olive Cotton Award for Portraiture in Murwilumbar NSW to name a few.
She currently is completing a Masters of Art .

I create art because...

I create art to bring beauty and relief to our communities, as a way to connect ,discover and learn about life.

I am different to most artists because...

My difference to other artists is my own personal history which I bring into my art from lived experience.

When you look at my art, the thing I want you to feel is...

When you look at my art I want you to feel curious, questioning your own beliefs and wanting to discover more.

The thing I most want to say to non-artists is...

The thing I most want to say to non-artists is come and join in the fun.

I believe art is an important part of our lives because...

I believe art is an important part of our lives because helps us feel connected, gives us a different viewpoint and allows us to dream.