Svinjceza

Iva Kozul Salihagic, born in 1978 in Zagreb, is a prominent figure in the world of medicine and art in Croatia. After finishing elementary and 7th highschool, in 2004 she became an MD. Her passion for urology led her to specialize, as well as master's and PhD. She works as a urologist at Hospital Sveti Duh and Rotim Polyclinic, and is a member of the Medical Comittee of Croatian Automobile and Karting Federation.

But Iva is not just a doctor. From an early age, her creative spirit was expressed through dancing, painting, singing and writing. In 2020, she began ceramics classes with the artist Bosiljka Bahat, and in 2022 she completed a certified course as a designer of ceramic objects at the Public Open University Zagreb. Since then, she attended numerous ceramic courses in Croatia and abroad. 2025. she became a member of The Croatian Art Society, and has participated in a numerous group juried exhibitions with her original works.

Iva is also a children's writer, known for her series of picture books about Svinjceza, an unusual princess who inspired the eponymous brand of ceramic objects. Her dedication to art reached its peak in 2024, when she wrote the script and directed the play "Svinjceza" at the City Theater Zar ptica.

Her work is characterized by constant learning, experimentation and an innovative approach to modeling clay, often combining it with metal, canvas, wood and crystals. Her artwork is interesting, mesmerizing, and magical, reflecting her passion and imagination. She shapes ceramics that embody her medical precision and innovative character. Her deep understanding of human anatomy and physiology informs the organic forms of her art, while her scientific approach to symmetry and proportion achieves a harmonious aesthetic. Through her ceramic work, Iva contemplates themes of beauty and fragility, enriching her pieces with layers of meaning and human connection. This blend of medical expertise and creative vitality gives her ceramics an alluring beauty. This biography presents Iva as a multidimensional person whose contributions to medicine and art leave an indelible mark in both fields. Her ability to combine science and creativity makes her a true Renaissance woman of today.