IVE ŠUBIC – ILLUSTRATOR, CULTURAL FIGURE AND PEACE MESSENGER

>> The exhibition will open on Friday 9 June 2023 at 7 p.m by the mayors of Škofja Loka and Slovenj Gradec, Mr Tine Radinja and Mr Tilen Klugler.

>> Curator: Petra Čeh

Ive Šubic – Illustrator, Cultural Worker and Messenger of Peace is a transfer of the first overview exhibition of Šubic’s book illustrations, expanded by an archival section with a presentation of his versatile contribution to the cultural scene. The exhibition was designed in the Škofja Loka Museum in 2022, on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the artist’s birth.

There, a selection of key works from his entire book illustration oeuvre was presented for the first time, offering a fascinating insight into the development of publishing in Slovenia. At the exhibition, original illustrations for the books Martin Krpan, Samorastniki, Cvetje v jeseni, Visoška kronika, Kekec and many others will be on display, as well as a selection of sketches that provide an insight into the process of the illustrator’s work.

In the archival part of the exhibition, Šubič’s engaged social activities are presented, which began already during World War II and left a great mark both on the Slovenian art scene and in the wider local environment. Among his older works is the famous poster “Slovenian woman, you are free and you will vote for the first time”. Later, he was the initiator and president of the Grohar Painting Colony, president of the Association of Slovenian Fine Arts Societies, recipient of the Prešeren Award… Among other things, he was the co-author of the monument in Dražgoše and author of the mosaic in the Slovenian Parliament, and in 1950 he was employed as a costume designer for the first Kekec film. Many generations have encountered his illustrations in the reader The World on our Doorstep, on worksheets for learning to read and write, and in many magazines for children and youth such as Ciciban, Kurirček, and Pionirski list.

The exhibition exchange is complemented by a selection of Šubic’s characteristic painting and print works from the Škofja Loka Museum, the Dr. Franc Sušnik Central Carinthian Library in Ravne na Koroškem, private collections, as well as his only painting in the collection of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Koroška, White Bird (1966). He exhibited this work at the first international exhibition Peace, Humanity, and Friendship among Nations, which was opened in Slovenj Gradec under the auspices of the United Nations in December 1966. On this occasion, Šubic donated the painting to the Museum’s collection.

The humanist-inspired motto of the international exhibition was described by Karel Pečko, the then-director of the Museum, as an “encouraging idea”. Only three years older than Šubic, the two might have a lot in common: abstract painterly depictions of native hills, exceptional and versatile social engagement, active involvement in local culture, and especially pacifism.

This is the first time Ive Šubic is presented in Slovenj Gradec with such an extensive overview exhibition, although he had previously exhibited in the region of Koroška twice: first with a solo exhibition in 1965 in the Ravne Art Gallery, and a year later in Slovenj Gradec.