Milovan Destil Markovic: Bio

Milovan Destil Markovic: A conceptual artist whose practice spans installation, painting, performance, and video.

Born in Yugoslavia, he has been a Berlin resident since 1986. His art practice began with the restoration of frescoes with dry colour pigments during socialist times in Yugoslavia, influencing his studies in painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Arts, Belgrade, where he graduated in 1983. For over 40 years, his conceptual emphasis, coupled with thorough research into the language of materials and forms, has positioned him uniquely in contemporary art. Globally recognized, Markovic's works have been exhibited and are placed in prestigious contemporary art institutions and public and private collections, including the Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto, Japan, Kunstmuseum Duesseldorf, Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, Germany, Museum of Contemporary Art Belgrade, Serbia, Istanbul Art Museum Foundation, Turkey, National Gallery, Athens, Greece and many others.

As a conceptual painter, Markovic explores distinct "work-streams," including barcoded, transfigurative (encompassing text portraits and lipstick portraits), prototypes, and his illuminating works, which most recently gained extensive media attention in Serbia. These meticulously researched chapters, evolving over 1-3 years, underpin ongoing artistic explorations.

Markovic's exhibitions span continents, featuring at renowned events such as the Aperto - 42nd Venice Biennale, 4th Istanbul Biennial, and the 46th Venice Biennale. His profound impact on the global art scene reflects an unwavering commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards and grants, amongst others the Pollock-Krassner-, 19th Memorial of Nadeûda Petrović -, Čačak, Mileöeva White Angel, Prijepolje - Awards, several Berliner Senate Stipends, the Vladislav Ribnikar Fund, Belgrade, and funding by Trust for Mutual Understanding. Most recently in 2023 he in honoured with Elle Award Serbia. In 2009, he served as a guest Professor for Art in Context at the University of the Arts, Berlin.