Dinka Jeričević – the Iron Lady of Croatian Scenic Design

Abstract

The paper examines the theatrical career and artistic expression of Dinka Jeričević (Vukovar, 26 September 1947), a distinguished Croatian scenic designer and one of the few women in the profession, especially at the time of her formative years, when she also served as the only female technical director in Croatian theatres. Creating over six hundred scenic designs, collaborating with the most prominent Croatian theatrical directors, and working in almost all Croatian theatres, as well as several theatres abroad, as both an in-house and guest designer, Jeričević significantly influenced and personally marked the history of Croatian scenic design over the last fifty years. Furthermore, her long-standing educational work with directors and producers at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb and her passionate mentoring of emerging designers in theatre practice contributed greatly both to the education of numerous young theatre professionals and to shaping contemporary Croatian scenic design. Finally, by becoming actively involved in continuous and pertinent efforts of the Croatian Association of Artists of Applied Arts (ULUPUH) to improve the professional and legal status and working conditions of Croatian designers, she actively participated in the social betterment of Croatian scenic design(ers). Even though she is recognized and acknowledged in her professional environment, and presented with numerous prizes and awards, her career in the theatre has never been the subject of any scholarly analysis. The paper therefore attempts to address some of her design principles and contribute to the systematisation, valorisation and contextualisation of her multiple, diverse and outstanding artistic and professional accomplishments in national theatre.