GLIHA Oton

(Črnomelj, Slovenia, 1914 – Zagreb, Croatia, 1999)

He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb in 1937. In the early period he painted still life and portraits in the spirit of Cézanne’s paintings and experiences of French fauvists. Since 1945, he painted more and more landscapes with new harmony of colors relations. He also cultivated the area and space within figure compositions more freely.

From 1954 he begins the process of compressing of visual elements; the painting Primorje is created at this point, as the first work of the great cycle of Gromača. He managed to convey the rhythm of dry stone walls, to suggestively express his experience of the landscape, while creating abstract works.

He is the author of a majestic drawing work collection and two print maps, wall paintings, stone mosaics and the author of the solemn curtain of HNK Ivana pl. Zajc in Rijeka (Bakar gromače, 1981).

He was given the award “Vladimir Nazor” for lifetime achievement in 1976.