Omer Berber, architect and artist, was born in Banja Luka (Bosnia) in 1948. He concluded his studies as an architect at the University of Ljublijana (Slovenia). Thanks to his activity he had much success already as a young artist and architect. In 1971 for example he was awarded the first prize on the occasion of the exhibition for young artists in Sarajevo. In 1980 he again was awarded the first prize with his project contributed to the "Iraqui House of Fashion", whereas he was the second best at a competition for the planning of the church in Bihac (Bosnia).
in the course of his artistic career Omer Berber participated in many exhibitions at home and abroad. Furthermore he presented his works within the framework of many single exhibitions:
1977 in Banja Luka
1980 and 1994 in Maribor (Slovenia)
1981 in Sarajevo (Bosnia)
1995 in Zagreb (Croatia)
1986 and 1987 and 1990 in Belgrad
1988 in Geneva (Switzerland)
1986 in Tunis (Tunesia)
1989 in Moscow (Russia)
1992 and 1993 and 1994 he exhibitet his works at the Isetan Art Salon in Tokyo, as well as in other cities of Japan, such as Tobata City (1992), Ube (1992), Amori (1992), Sapporo (1992, 1993, 1994), Korube (1992), Chiaba (1994), Niogat (1994) and Hiroshima (1994)
1994 further exhibitions followed in Velden (Austria), Bolzano (Italy), Merano (Italy)
1995 in Vipiteno (Italy)
Furthermore Omer Berber participated in many exhibitions of the "Sefardi 92-Group", in particular in Toledo (Spain), Tel-Aviv (Israel), Paris (France) and Vienna (Austria).
Omer Berber planned and managed many buildings as an architect. Just to name a few - the Savoy Hotel in Moscow, the "Iraqui House of Fashion" in Bagdad, as well as a number of buildings in Oran (Algeria), such as the library, the theatre and a large housing complex for VIPs.
At present Omer Berber lives and works in Bolzano (Italy) where he carries out his activities as an architect at the Selva SpA company in cooperation with the Company's owner Philipp Selva.
The qualities of a man
I admire Omer Berber as a person, as he has had the courage to turn his bach on hate, to leave Sarajevo and to abandon everything he possessed, only to continue to be a man free from any form of cultural or religious prejudices: Omer is a real hero of our times, as he has been able to stand up to antiquated temptation to put on a uniform and to stain his hands with the blood of his own brothers to search then a justification based on faith or ideologies.
I admire Omer as an artist, as he interprets life as a dream to be filled with forms and colours, a dream which keeps attention attracted for the essence of reality, those fundamental values - love, intellectual curiosity, friendship - the only ones to make life worth living and for which true life becomes play and passion.
I admire Omer as a professional, as he never tires of working, even though work often absorbs all the energy of human beings - and Omer is the most human of all human beings I have ever known - as Omer is able to recharge his energy while working, as others do while sleeping.
In his longing to create, the night is beneficial to him and while he is dreaming with open eyes - creations of artits - his body and mind repose like in a long relaxing sleep. Omer grew up within the borders of three great cultures, i. e. the Catholic, the Orthodox and the Islamic. He has been able to take the best of each and he has not retained any resentements or fear of those things which are different.
Omer is a citizen of the world, his home is in any place where a father could bring up his own children in peace, where a man could love his own wife without fear, where an artist could cultivate his own talents with passion, where a professional would feel respected because of his own abilities, where a man could feel free to think in a loud voice.
I am proud to say that Omer works for Selva and lives in Bolzano. I mean, our firm is a company really worthwhile working in, and our town is a place which is free from any form of constraints. And last but not least I am grateful to my friend Omer for having confirmed this.
