Tomislav, a photographer-turned-visionary artist, has redefined the boundaries of this intersection. From childhood handball goals in his backyard to conceptual Baroque-inspired skateparks, his work transcends the ordinary, celebrating the beauty, struggle, and triumph inherent in sports.

Through the groundbreaking use of artificial intelligence, Tomislav breathes new life into sports architecture, infusing it with a surreal, dreamlike quality. His creations not only reflect his personal connection to sports but also his unyielding drive to push the limits of artistic exploration. In this conversation, he shares the inspirations, cultural influences, and creative sparks behind his acclaimed sports-themed series—offering a rare glimpse into the mind of a true pioneer at the intersection of tradition and technology.

Growing up in Croatia, how did cultural and personal influences shape your interest in sports and art?

‘My father was an accomplished football player, skilled at drawing, and had a keen sense of space and perspective. My grandmother, on the other hand, was a talented seamstress. The combination of these influences from my family runs deep within my personal story and creative background. Growing up in the countryside, everything is interconnected—it’s a family affair. Every experience we gain stays with us. No matter how many cities, styles, or artistic expressions we encounter, those foundational roots remain a part of who we are. My journey began with photography, which started as a hobby—a personal desire to document the world around me, both in Croatia and during my travels to music festivals across Europe.’

Can you tell us about your journey? Did your passion for sports influence your career?

‘I grew up in Darda, a small town in Eastern Croatia, where success in any field—whether sports, art, music, or any other pursuit—demands extraordinary effort and above-average skills. For my artistic career, the internet made it easier to share my work and gain widespread recognition. While sports haven’t directly shaped my photographic or artistic style, I’ve always been drawn to them. They’ve taught me valuable lessons in dedication and mental resilience, especially during the toughest moments. An athlete, like an artist, faces internal battles, striving to excel in their field. Creativity isn’t a competition in the same way as sports, but there are similarities that I find fascinating. Sports have shown me that achieving meaningful results requires sacrifice and hard work, lessons I continue to deeply appreciate.

Growing up, handball was my main passion. Sports like handball or basketball, and almost any fast-paced game, feel very connected to art for me. They require quick thinking and 100% creativity, play after play. Even though I no longer play sports, they remain a part of my life. I often run and stay active, especially because my work as a photographer often requires long shooting days—10 to 12 hours—so I need to maintain consistency. And, of course, I love to eat (he laughs).’

Are there particular athletes, sports, or historic moments that resonate with you and deserve more attention in art?

For me, sport is, above all, an art form in itself. Personally, I feel a deep connection to Croatian athletes and their achievements. One moment that stands out is the 2002 Winter Olympics, when Janica Kostelić won four medals—a monumental event that left an indelible mark on the Croatian nation. The 2003 Handball World Championship, with Ivano Balić’s extraordinary performances in Portugal, inspired many of us to take up the sport, myself included. The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where Croatia secured the silver medal, is a memory that will live with us all forever. And, of course, the men’s water polo team’s gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

Artistically speaking, I believe our football jerseys, with their iconic red and white checkered pattern, are a work of art in their own right—a stunning piece of design by our celebrated designer and academic painter, Miroslav Šutej. This beautifully illustrates the power of art and design within sports. If I were to highlight something outside of Croatia, I’d point to moments from Liverpool Football Club—specifically, their legendary comebacks—which have left a lasting impression on me.

What was the initial spark that led you to explore the intersection of AI and photography?

‘Two years ago, my friend and talented musician Filip Lacković introduced me to a tool called Midjourney. He suggested I give it a try, thinking it could offer an interesting avenue to explore. At that time, I found myself in a phase where photography had become somewhat predictable. I was seeking a new form of creative expression. Then, I discovered that Midjourney allowed me to combine my own photographs with AI-generated designs, which immediately piqued my interest. Progress was slow at first, and for the first year, things didn’t really take off. But then, I created the series of ‘abandoned art deco swimming pools,’ which had been the site of the world water polo championship, with Croatian red and white checkered patterns on the ceiling and walls. That’s when everything exploded.

Shortly after that, I produced the ‘Baroque skateparks in churches’ series. At that point, I realized that the most successful themes were those that connected with large communities and topics in which people could easily find their own point of identification.’

You have an exceptional ability to balance the technical demands of AI design with the creative, human side of photography. How do you manage to achieve this?

‘At the core of it, it all comes down to going with the flow. I truly believe that as an artist, you can never fully describe or convey the experience or the moment of creation—it’s an inherently personal process, something you ‘project’ from within. The more you immerse yourself in the work, the more ideas come to you. Often, something I photograph becomes the foundation for a new AI creation. Sometimes it happens at the most unexpected times, late at night or in the early hours of the morning. For example, the series of Baroque oil platforms was born around 12:30 a.m., when I happened to come across an article with a related headline in a newspaper and decided to merge Baroque aesthetics with oil platforms into a single narrative. The more involved you are in your work and open to exploring other influences, the more you can craft something truly unique in your own way.’

Your sports-themed series has been widely praised for its innovative approach to merging sports and art. Can you share the inspiration behind this series?

‘The first series was inspired by the lack of media coverage surrounding the Croatian water polo team and its players, who won the gold medal at the 2024 World Championships in Doha. Croatia is generally good at celebrating its athletes, but this time, the ceremonial welcome took place in a modest press room at the airport in Zagreb. I wanted to combine that underappreciated victory with grandiose architecture, using my creations to ‘elevate’ it. I often imagine how different it would be if some of these undervalued sports were played in magnificent historical buildings and avenues. In today’s world, with the power of social media, such events would undoubtedly receive far more attention.’

How do you choose the sports or moments to depict in your work? Is there a personal connection to any of them?

‘I follow a wide range of sports, and my passion for them runs deep. My father played football, and I grew up playing handball. He even built a professional handball goal in our yard when I first started playing sports, along with a basketball hoop and a table for table tennis. As a teenager, I got into skating and quickly fell in love with that culture as well. More recently, I became captivated by winter sports. I believe that to truly represent a sport in your work, you have to have a genuine love and understanding of it—watching it, respecting its nuances, and appreciating the details that only a true fan can capture. This also applies to the design and appearance of the playing fields in my AI work—there should be no irregularities, only authenticity.’

Is there a particular sports-themed piece that holds special significance for you?

‘Recently, I’ve become quite fond of my series featuring football fields with intricate lace patterns made of snow. It’s a personal piece, as it evokes memories of my hometown, my culture, and the yard where I grew up. I’m also really proud of my latest series featuring hockey players because it introduces a new style of creation that I plan to present in 2025.’

As both an artist and technologist, how do you stay inspired and push the boundaries of your creativity?

‘The more you create and explore, the more your creativity flourishes. If you pause for too long, unfortunately, things start to shift because the pace of information flow on social media is relentless. Trends evolve quickly. Films, books, fellow photographers, and conceptual artists are constant sources of inspiration for me. For example, in my upcoming series, some of my biggest influences include Man Ray, Hans Hollein, metallic aesthetics, and the alternative music scene of the ’90s. My next sports-related collection may even incorporate some of these influences. Inspiration often comes from the most unexpected places—sometimes it’s a real moment or a photograph that sparks an idea. It could be something as simple as a scene in my immediate surroundings or a moment on a sports field.’