Bosnian entrepreneur brings Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” to life with spectacular living artwork
The idea for this unique project came to Zukic six years ago when he noticed spiral-shaped tractor tracks in a hay meadow near his land, which reminded him of the swirling motifs from Van Gogh’s 1889 masterpiece.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Amid the lush hills of central Bosnia, a local businessman has turned a lifelong dream into reality, creating a breathtaking tribute to Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic painting, Starry Night.
Halim Zukic, a former insurance executive, has transformed a 12-hectare nature park near the village of Luznica into a living, swirling masterpiece, using tens of thousands of plants to replicate the celestial patterns of Van Gogh’s 1889 artwork.
“This is my way of paying homage to Van Gogh. He belongs to us all,” Zukic told AFP, underscoring his deep admiration for the legendary Dutch painter.
The inspiration for this unique project came to Zukic six years ago when spiral-shaped tractor tracks in a nearby hay meadow reminded him of the swirling forms in Starry Night.
From that moment, the idea took root, and Zukic devoted years of effort, money, and passion to bringing the vision to life.
A Living Tribute to a Masterpiece
With over 130,000 lavender bushes in six distinct shades, alongside medicinal herbs like sage, echinacea, wormwood, and chamomile, Zukic has painstakingly recreated the dynamic patterns that define Van Gogh’s iconic night sky.
These vibrant plants form the swirling stars and whirling energy captured in the painting. Complementing the design, Zukic added 13 lakes, formed by natural streams, and integrated natural amphitheaters to create a landscape where art and nature harmonize.
“There’s not a single straight line here—just like nature itself,” Zukic emphasized, drawing attention to the organic design, which mirrors Van Gogh’s visionary style.
Zukic’s ambitious project is not merely a botanical feat; it represents a deep connection to Van Gogh’s legacy.
In 2023, he traveled to France, visiting the towns of Arles and Saint-Remy-de-Provence, where Van Gogh spent some of his most prolific years. This pilgrimage reinforced Zukic’s resolve to blend art with nature, capturing the emotional intensity Van Gogh brought to his paintings.
A Cultural Destination in the Making
The Starry Night park is intended to be much more than a tribute to Van Gogh. Zukic envisions the space as a cultural hub for central Bosnia, where art and nature coalesce.
Plans are underway to host art programs, cultural events, and exhibitions, offering visitors a serene retreat for artistic and natural inspiration.
Though the park is still in its early stages, with plants needing time to flourish fully, Zukic is confident that its beauty will grow with each passing year. “You don’t just need money to create something like this. You need time. But the foundation is strong, and it will only become more stunning.”
For now, only a few visitors have experienced the serene beauty of the park. But as word spreads, Zukic’s vision of blending art and nature in a living masterpiece is likely to become a celebrated cultural landmark, drawing visitors from near and far.
As it matures, the Starry Night park will offer a one-of-a-kind experience that pays tribute to Van Gogh’s genius while promoting the natural and cultural heritage of Bosnia.
Van Gogh’s Enduring Legacy
Van Gogh’s Starry Night is a symphony of swirling energy, with exploding stars set against a backdrop of serene night.
The painting’s famous cypress tree, often linked to mourning and death, connects the earth with the roiling heavens above, yet Van Gogh saw death not as an end, but as a passage to the stars.
In a letter to his brother Theo, Van Gogh wrote: “Looking at the stars always makes me dream…Why shouldn’t the shining dots of the sky be as accessible as the black dots on the map of France?”
This profound view on life and death, embodied in his work, continues to inspire generations of artists, including Zukic, whose living tribute to Starry Night ensures that Van Gogh’s legacy lives on in the most natural and vibrant way.
This aerial photograph shows the "Starry Night" park, near Central-Bosnian town of Visoko, on October 1, 2024. (Photo: Rusmir Smajilhodzic/AFP)
The report has used information from AFP and Reuters.
