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Thursday, 19th March, 2026
Discover a catolic ancient tattoo style called "Sicanje"
Catholics in Bosnia once practiced an ancient style of tattooing called sicanje (also known as bocanje).
This tradition dates back several centuries and was especially common among Catholic communities in central Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Why was it practiced?
During the rule of the Ottoman Empire (15th–19th century), these tattoos became a visible symbol of religious identity.
They were believed to:
• Mark belonging to the Catholic faith
• Preserve cultural identity
• Act as a sign of resistance
• In some cases, discourage forced conversion or marriage
This wasn’t decoration.
It was identity carved into skin.
Symbols and Style
The designs were simple but deeply symbolic:
• Stylized crosses
• Rosettes and sun motifs
• Geometric patterns
• Folk symbols rooted in local tradition
They were usually tattooed on:
hands, wrists, forearms, occasionally the chest.
The technique was primitive needles and natural pigments made from soot or charcoal mixed with milk or honey.
No modern aesthetics. Just meaning.
Today
The practice largely disappeared during the 20th century, but interest in sicanje has resurfaced in recent years as part of cultural and historical research.
It stands as a powerful reminder that tattooing has often been about faith, survival, and identity long before it became fashion.
[2]Case Maclaim & Hera
‘What We Leave Behind’
A duo exhibition based on a shared theme expressed through two distinctly different artistic styles. In a wholly distinctive visual language, recognised worldwide on streets, backyards, in galleries and museums, Hera of Herakut, as one of the two, works within an imagined universe. The characters in her works are often experienced in contexts shaped by social divisions and collective limitations, embedded in quotes that speak of love and human relationships.
At the same time, Case Maclaim as one of the leading urban photorealists, brings a completely different angle to the exhibition, often with a strong undertone of surrealism. Like Hera, he works both on canvas and on large-scale murals, where the emotional realm is constantly explored: insecurity, melancholy, and the ongoing struggle of being human are recurring themes. His figurative motifs impress with their technical perfection and their remarkable balance between visual clarity and strong narrative depth.
