We are proud to announce a collaboration with the renowned artist Ana Pušica, whose work seamlessly blends innovation, emotion, and artistry. With over a decade of artistic exploration and a career spanning multiple continents, Ana brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to every project. Born in Valjevo, Serbia, and now based in Munich, Germany, she holds a Diploma of Fine Arts in Painting from the Academy of Fine Arts Munich, where she studied under Prof. Anke Doberauer. Her artistic journey is enriched by a strong educational foundation from the Art High School Bogdan Šuput in Novi Sad, Serbia, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary art.

Ana's work has graced exhibitions and residencies worldwide, from New York and Riyadh to Beijing and the Maldives, with pieces featured in prestigious collections such as the Museum of Contemporary Art in Beijing. Supported by long-term funding from institutions in Munich and Upper Bavaria, she continues to innovate and inspire through projects ranging from solo exhibitions to ambitious collaborations with global brands like MINI BMW. This exciting partnership celebrates her creative excellence and collaborative spirit, making her the perfect fit for this one-of-a-kind project.

Sauna Series

Ana sits in her studio, surrounded by splashes of paint, sipping tea as she passionately explains the inspiration behind the series and its name:

“Maggi - my mother in law - spontaneously gave to my figures the space, the atmosphere and the storyline. They are no longer lost in the mysterious, endless background, and their movements are now part of a unified story. The story of the people in the sauna. Well, I have my own interpretation of why this is a very interesting set-up. I can't think of any other set-up where you can be in a small room, with strangers or family members, naked, without a cell phone, music or any other distraction except your own sweaty body and sweaty bodies around you. You are trapped in this time frame, faced with a hit in silence. Some people are uncomfortable, many of us are curious about how old men or young women look, and some are even too comfortable, and their bodies lie there in all their glory to be admired. We all come from different cultural backgrounds, and this topic not only has a special esthetic flavor, but explores feelings on a very deep level. How did we grow up, what is considered shameful, how do we view our bodies, can we even be with ourselves without entertainment? I ask myself these questions when I'm in the sauna. The bodies on my paintings are pink, transparent, shiny. The background is in the fog, mystic, soft. The whole atmosphere is mysterious, like a dream”.

Collaboration

As part of our collaboration with Ana Pušica, Substanz is proud to present two exclusive series of limited-edition scarves, crafted with artistry and sustainability in mind. Each piece is printed on Orange Fiber®, an innovative textile made from citrus by-products, combining cutting-edge materials with timeless design.

The Sauna Series features three one-of-a-kind scarves, each showcasing a key painting from Ana’s Sauna collection. Measuring 90x90 cm, every scarf is signed by the artist herself, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. These unique pieces will never be reprinted, making them true collector’s items.

The Best of Ana Series highlights two of Ana’s most iconic designs in smaller, versatile formats. Available as carré scarves (67x67 cm) in editions of six per color and twilly scarves in editions of nine per color, these limited garments offer wearable works of art.

All scarves are meticulously crafted in Italy and elegantly packaged in sturdy gift boxes designed by Berlin-based studio Maren Thompson. Each piece includes a hand-numbered, handwritten certificate from Ana herself, adding a personal touch to these extraordinary creations.

These scarves are truly exclusive and will never be reprinted—making them a timeless addition to your wardrobe or art collection.