Meet Kosta Kulundzic | Artist, Curator, and Gallery Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kosta Kulundzic and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kosta, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
When I decided to pursue an artistic career, risk was—and still is—a fundamental part of the journey. Whether it’s creating art as an artist, promoting it as a gallery director, or curating exhibitions, risk is always part of the process. You have to carve out your own path from scratch.

I have never been afraid of taking risks; they are an inherent part of this field, along with the pressure that comes with it. For me, these challenges are almost inseparable from the profession I chose

It is almost exhilarating, and it forces you to rely on yourself most of the time. The risk factor pushes you to be inventive, to find solutions—it’s motivating. I definitely believe that risk is a pillar of my career.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe what sets my art career apart is that I realized early on that I had to create my own opportunities rather than waiting for access through traditional channels. When I didn’t have direct access to major galleries or art institutions, I took the initiative to organize art events, bring people together, and build a community around art.

This mindset became my driving force, leading me to curate several significant exhibitions and co-found the European artistic movement Under-Realism, which brought together artists from Europe and Iran. Over four years, this movement was at the center of numerous exhibitions across Europe and Eastern Europe, where I served as curator, designer, and project coordinator—from concept to execution. I actively sought funding and corporate sponsorships for each project, ensuring that most of these exhibitions were accompanied by the publication of catalogs.

This relentless passion for creating art and organizing art events laid the foundation for my international career, something I am truly proud of. I have participated in and exhibited at over 100 exhibitions worldwide across 15 countries, with my work featured in more than 12 international museums. Additionally, three monographic books have been published on my work.

More recently, one of my greatest accomplishments has been organizing The Swell is Coming, one of the most significant international Surf Art Culture exhibitions in Hawaii. Held at Hō‘ikeākea Gallery, this exhibition brought together leading artists from Hawaii and around the world who have enriched surf culture and pushed the boundaries between contemporary art and surfing. A book documenting this landmark exhibition is currently in the process of being published.

Lessons Learned & Final Thoughts
My journey has not been easy. It required resilience, initiative, and the willingness to create opportunities rather than wait for them. Along the way, I’ve learned that persistence and adaptability are key, and that true success in the arts comes from building something greater than yourself—whether it’s a movement, a community, or an enduring creative legacy.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In addition to being an artist, I’m also a surfer, so if you come to Hawaii, you must experience winter on the North Shore—what they call “The Seven-Mile Miracle”, stretching from Haleiwa to Sunset Beach. This coastline is home to some of the most famous and terrifying waves in the world, including Banzai Pipeline, Waimea, and Backdoor. Just sitting on the beach with a simple poké bowl from Foodland and watching the action is an experience in itself.

After a long day at the beach, I’d recommend heading to Haleiwa Joe’s for dinner. I’m a huge fan of the bar, where the surf community often gathers—it’s the perfect spot to soak in the local vibe.

If you’re staying in Waikiki, I’d suggest surfing at Queens, Publics, or Populars. Even though these spots can get crowded, they are still iconic. Having dinner at Barefoot Beach Café while enjoying the sunset is a must.

For a classic, old-school tiki bar experience away from the crowded parts of Waikiki, check out Heyday at the White Sands Hotel—a hidden gem that feels like stepping back in time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I know it might sound a bit cliché, but my father’s work ethic has been a huge inspiration to me. He emigrated from Eastern Europe to Paris and became a highly successful architect and professor at the French National School of Architecture, Paris Val de Seine. His dedication and perseverance instilled in me a deep sense of discipline, and in many ways, I see maintaining that work ethic as part of my heritage—especially as an immigrant myself in America.

I was also incredibly fortunate to cross paths with visionary art entrepreneurs like the international gallerist Magda Danysz, with whom I worked for ten years. She instilled in me the belief that even in a highly competitive and challenging field like art, anything is possible with the right mindset and determination.

Today, I am extremely grateful for the support of Leeward Community College, which has entrusted me with leading its incredible art gallery. They have given me complete creative freedom to develop and curate ambitious exhibitions that reflect both local talent and international perspectives.

Website: https://www.kulundzic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kulundzic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kosta.kulundzic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kostakulundzic7424

Other: The official website of Hō‘ikeākea Gallery, where I serve as director:

https://www.leeward.hawaii.edu/hoikeakea

And the instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/hoikeakeagallery/

Image Credits
My portrait : Photo by Charles Duprat