Divna Pesic Grozdanov - Artist and Sport Legend
Born 22nd September, 1979 in Kavadarci, Republic of Macedonia, Divna Pesic is a unique figure who combines the precision of sport shooting with the explosive energy of abstract expressionism.
She graduated from the Faculty of Philology and earned a Master's degree in Economy science, yet her life has been deeply dedicated to both sports and art.
Her shooting career began at the age of six under the guidance of her father, the legendary Blagoj Pesic, recognized as the greatest rifle coach in the history of Macedonia.
Divna Pesic Grozdanov is considered the best shooter of all time in Macedonia, holding 37 state records in both female and male competitions. She was two-time Balkan Champion, two time Olympian(Sydney, Australia, 2000, and Athens, Greece, 2004 and has been ranked among the top competitors in many European and World competitions.
As an artist working in oil on canvas, Divna has maintained an active career for 34 years, with many solo and group exhibitions worldwide.She is the creator of DIVNISM, a distinctive style built over decades of painting, where imagination, emotion, symbolism and spiritual energy merge into forms that exist beyond visible reality. Her unique art has received global recognition — she was named the world’s best abstract expressionist by the World Art Awards, as well as by the American Art Awards, selected by 25 top galleries and museums in the world and the United States.
Among her most notable international awards, in addition to those mentioned above, are:
• First Prize at the Top Art Awards 2022
• Winner of the Art Curator Choice Award 2023/2024, 2025 and 2026
• Recipient of the Career Art Awards 2023, Sanremo, Italy
• The Luxembourg Art Prize 2022, awarded by the prestigious Pinacotheque Museum
• International Prize Donatello 2023, Florence, Italy
• Named Ambassador of Art 2024
For art collectors, owning an oil painting by Divna Pešić Grozdanov is not only a source of daily visual delight but also a wise investment — among her many collectors is none other than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Divna Pešić Grozdanov is a prominent member of the Macedonian diaspora who lives and works in New Jersey, USA. She is married and a mother of two. Active in her community, she currently serves as President of the Macedonian Olympic Diaspora, an organization under the umbrella of the Macedonian Olympic Committee, dedicated to supporting the Macedonian sports community abroad, preserving national culture, and connecting Macedonians worldwide through sports and cultural activities.
Individual exhibitions:
2025 - Museum Gallery Kavadarci, Macedonia
2024 - Passaic County Arts Center at the John Rea House, NJ, USA
2024 - Artexpo New York, Pier 36, Manhattan, NYC, BOOTH S200
2022 - Compass Arena, Chicago, USA
2020 - Divna Pesic Art Gallery, Denville, USA
2016- Lena Di Gangi Gallery, Totowa, USA
2015 - Macedonian Embassy in Washington DC, Washington, USA
2013 - Gallery Kambur, Istanbul, Turkey
2012 – Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York, USA
2010 – CityLoftArt Gallery, Miami, USA
2010 – Museum of the City of Skopje, Skopje, Macedonia
2009 – Hotel Golf, Bled, Slovenia
2009 – Hotel Apollonia, Gevgelija, Macedonia
2009 – Kavadarci House of Culture, Kavadarci, Macedonia
2008 – National Gallery of Macedonia, Multimedia Centre Mala Stanica, Skopje, Macedonia
2006 – National Gallery of Macedonia, Cifte Hammam, Skopje, Macedonia
2002 – Dusseldorf Gallery, Dusseldorf, Germany
2001 – ARM Center, Skopje, Macedonia
1997 – Kavadarci City Museum, Kavadarci, Macedonia
Group exhibitions:
2025 - The Idea kitchen, NY, USA
2024 - Cultural Center Kavadarci, Macedonia
2023 - Vanda Gallery, New Rochelle, USA
2023 - Pelham Art Center, Pelham, New York
2018 - Museum of Sinj, Sinj, Croatia
2014 - Gallery Zero, New York, USA
2012 – Macedonian Embassy in Paris, Paris, France
2012 – CityLoftArt Gallery, Miami, USA
2012 – Prostor Gallery, Ljubljana, Slovenia
2012 – Centre of Culture, Shtip, Macedonia
2012 – Bezisten Gallery, Kocani, Macedonia
2009 – Kavadarci House of Culture, Kavadarci, Macedonia
2005 – Kora Gallery, Skopje, Macedonia
2004 – Kavadarci House of Culture, Kavadarci, Macedonia
2002 – Kora Gallery, Skopje, Macedonia
2001 – Katerini City Museum, Katerini, Greece
2000 – Kavadarci House of Culture, Kavadarci, Macedonia
Contact: divnapesic@yahoo.com