CONTEMPORARY SCULPTURE THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD - IVAN MEŠTROVIĆ.

The objective of this research was to examine the reactions of pupils attending lower grades of primary school to the presented artworks of contemporary sculpture, in this case the artworks by the well-known Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. The survey was conducted in the area of the Split-Dalmatia County and included 300 primary school pupils attending 1st to 4th grade, including 151 boys and 149 girls. The pupils were shown three very important artworks by the mentioned artist which differ in the approach to the volume design and composition type. These are the following works: Mother and Child, Monument to Indians in Chicago and The Spring of Life. The results of the research have shown that there is a statistically significant difference in the perception and acceptance of certain works by Ivan Meštrović with regard to the age and gender of the pupils. In open-ended questions, the pupils presented their observations on certain works of the well-known artist, which due to their directness and originality represent the most valuable part of this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]