Biennial of Slovene Book Illustration
History of Slovene book illustration
The long and rich history and tradition of Slovene book illustration started with Protestant books and continued with the work of Slovene modernists who reached another summit at the end of the 19th century. Slovene book illustration production remained rich and strong even during the Second World War. Afterwards, with the development of vivid publishing activities, Slovene book illustration become internationally recognised. The Biennial of Slovene Book Illustration provides a glimpse of these endeavours by giving an overview of the latest book illustration achievements in Slovenia.
About
The core of the biennial is the exhibition of original works of Slovene book illustrators as well as books of recent dates in the Cankarjev dom Gallery (CD Gallery) – in 2008 the jury of five Slovene professionals with Tanja Mastnak at the head chose 58 illustrators out of 95 submissions. The exhibition of selected illustrators is accompanied by a catalogue.
Alongside the older generation, the biennial increasingly presents the work of young illustrators, such as Kristina Krhin, Suzana Bricelj, Arjan Pregl, Daša Simčič, Ana Šalamun, Petra Preželj, Dalibor Zupančič, etc.
The biennial also includes a special exhibition dedicated to the pioneers of Slovene illustration. The 5th biennial was dedicated to the late Marija Lucija Stupica, one of the greatest representatives of Slovene children's book illustration, also one of the stronger initiators of the biennial. In 2004 an exhibition at the National Gallery of Slovenia presented the beginnings of Slovene illustration (the authors Hinko Smrekar, Gvidon Birolla, Ivan Vavpotič and Maksim Gaspari were presented). In 2008 the exhibition in the Museum of Modern Art was dedicated to Marij Pregelj, one of the foremost Slovene fine artists of the 20th century who was engaged also in illustration (Iliad and Odyssey, French Fairytales, Tristan and Isolde, Peter Pan).
See also
- Hinko Smrekar Award
- Cankarjev dom Culture and Congress Centre
- Union of Slovene Fine Arts Associations (ZDSLU)
- National Gallery of Slovenia
- Museum of Modern Art