20. 4. – 16. 6. 2023

Exhibition opening: Thursday, 20 April 2023, at 19:00.

Presented artists: Oskar Karel Dolenc, Janez Korošin, Tihomir Pinter, Marjan Smerke, Tone Stojko, Jendo Štoviček, Sonja Zalar Bizjak in Joco Žnidaršič

The group exhibition at the Photon Gallery will present the activities of the photographic group “Fotogrupa ŠOLT” on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its foundation in 1963, focusing on the period after the merger with Fotoklub Ljubljana in 1968, when the group began to operate under the name “Fotogrupa ŠOLT – Ljubljana”. The exhibition will examine the importance of the group for the development of the photographic scene in Ljubljana and Slovenia and present its diverse international activities. It will also highlight the photographic approaches of the 1960s and 1970s in the choice of motifs and techniques of the exhibited artists. Presented are the works of seven photographers who, during the existence of the group, were awarded the title of “Master of Photography” by the Photographic Association of Yugoslavia due to their high artistic and technical perfection and their frequent international exhibitions. The exhibition also includes the works of Sonja Zalar Bizjak, the only female representative of the group who received the title of “Master Candidate”. It is important to mention that in the more than thirty years of its existence, the ŠOLT photographic group has had a large number of members, among whom are other outstanding Slovenian photographers. Most of the members will be represented in the exhibition with documentary material from the time of the group’s activity.

In addition to the central characteristics of the group that emerged during its existence – such as analogue black-and-white photography, emphasis on coarse-grained images and strong contrasts – the group was united above all by a desire for technical perfection and innovation in photographic and artistic expression. In the absence or educational institutions dedicated to photography, the group brought together photography enthusiasts who developed completely independently through the mutual exchange of knowledge. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, the group was composed mainly of members with scientific and technical backgrounds. When they joined the group, their own involvement was paramount, and with shared technical guidance, the group members built their exhibition presence. As a group, they participated in exhibitions in Yugoslavia, Europe, South and North America, and even Hong Kong. I From a historical perspective, Fotogrupa (Ljubljana) ŠOLT is one of the most important photo groups in Slovenia, along with the Maribor Circle.

Curator of the Exhibition: Špela Pipan

In collaboration with:

Exhibition Masters of Ljubljana Photography School: 60 Years of Fotogrupa ŠOLT in the show Culture on RTV Slo (Slovenian)
Exhibition Masters of Ljubljana Photography School: 60 Years of Fotogrupa ŠOLT in Dnevnik (Slovenian)
Exhibition Masters of Ljubljana Photography School: 60 Years of Fotogrupa ŠOLT in Delo (Slovenian)