Remzija Balagić

Balkan brushes

• Remzija inherited the family brush making business
• He adapts his creations to the modern market
• All of his brushes are entirely hand made

As a boy, Remzija Balagić went to his father's workshop after school to learn the skills of handmaking brushes. When he grew up, he took over the craft of making brushes in Sarajevo's Old Town, applying what his father had taught him and thus preserving the family tradition. Due to new technologies, some types of brushes – such as those for vacuuming or washing clothes – are no longer in demand. Still, he keeps producing about 50 different types of brushes – from those used for grooming and bathing animals, to moustache and beard maintenance ones. For Remzija, it is an honour to work in his shop, make brushes, and keep the memory of his late father alive, but he's also proud to protect this craft from extinction.

Interview

Haris Čalkić ©Michelangelo Foundation

Haris Čalkić ©Michelangelo Foundation

How would you define what you do?

Despite the decline of the interest in handmade brushes, I try to keep up with modern times. But it is difficult to do this craft when I alone have to compete with thousands of cheap stores that sell plastic brushes costing a few euros.

What is little known about your craft?

I don’t know how to make some types of brushes: the production of some of them has stopped for a long time, and since there is no demand, I no longer remember how they are made. I should continue to try to make them just to perfect my craft.

Do you consider brush making an endangered craft?

Unfortunately, yes. In other countries, governments are investing millions in preserving traditional crafts, while here in Bosnia and Herzegovina, they seem to be deliberately trying to make it harder for us artisans.

Do you train apprentices?

I taught my daughter some basic skills, but I'm not sure if she will continue the business. I have collaborated with product design students and some of them said they would like me to teach them this craft, but unfortunately that hasn’t happened yet.

Remzija Balagić is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1987

Works

Haris Čalkić ©Michelangelo Foundation

Haris Čalkić ©Michelangelo Foundation

Haris Čalkić ©Michelangelo Foundation

Haris Čalkić ©Michelangelo Foundation

Haris Čalkić ©Michelangelo Foundation

Where