"'SOUL'" Artwork

Vinko Kalcic is an internationally acclaimed artist based in London whose work is deeply rooted in the belief that art can heal, connect and transform.
Vinko studied Fine Art, Design, and later in UK, Multimedia and Digital Compositing for Film/Video at London’s Escape Studios, as well as Creative Studies at Queen’s University in Belfast.
Born in Yugoslavia, Vinko began drawing as a young child, creating colourful, cartoon-inspired characters that fuelled his imagination, creativity and shaped his early visual language. At eighteen, Vinko inspired by Naïve Art began painting in that vivid almost cartoony style. That caught attention of some art dealers in Italy, which led to solo and group exhibitions in Italy and all around Europe.
In 1991, bloody conflict erupted in Yugoslavia, Vinko and his family was forced to leave the country to Northern Ireland, where a good friend offered a refuge. That was the beginning of a new chapter in Vinko’s life and artistic journey. Vinko soon formed strong connections with artists who shared his commitment to peace, and reconciliation. Among the most significant was his friendship with renowned singer-songwriter Tommy Sands. A committed peace activist, Tommy brought together music, storytelling and social conscience in his work. Their shared belief in the power of creativity to bridge divisions led to a lasting friendship and a number of peace projects.
An important opportunity to put these ideas into practice came through Vinko’s involvement in a cross-community outreach project facilitated by the Northern Ireland Peace & Reconciliation Board. Working alongside Tom Newman, the acclaimed producer and engineer for Mike Oldfield’s legendary ‘Tubular Bells’, Vinko’s role was to provide visuals: photography, video and CD designs. The project involved approximately 800 schoolchildren from segregated schools across Northern Ireland. Its purpose was simple yet powerful: to bring children from divided communities together through music and creativity, giving them the opportunity to collaborate in recreating and recording a new version of ‘Tubular Bells’ within their classrooms.
In 1996, inspired by the powerful words of folk musician and peace activist Pete Seeger, Tommy Sands composed ‘The Music of Healing’ a profound plea for understanding, reconciliation and peace that transcends borders, identities and political divisions. The title resonated deeply with Vinko.