The Illustrators‘ section of the Slovenian Association of Fine Arts Societies (ZDSLU)

Slovenian Association of Fine Arts Societies (ZDSLU) is an association of professional fine artists who live and work in the Slovene cultural space. With nine regional associations and over 800 members, it covers the entire Slovenian cultural space, and the sections of the association cover various areas within the profession.

The Illustrators’ Section was established in 1992 with the aim of ensuring the continuity and development of Slovenian illustration in the new political and economic conditions. The section, along with many other activities, organizes the Slovenian Biennial of Illustration, which presents Slovenian illustration production every two years and at which the highest awards for illustration in Slovenia are presented, named after the Slovenian cartoonist, graphic artist, illustrator, and caricature artist Hinko Smrekar. The expert jury selects the recipients of the Hinko Smrekar awards, lifetime achievement awards, as well as plaques and accolades. The biennial is organized in cooperation with the Cankarjev dom Gallery.

The section of illustrators carries out other activities as well, among other things, it organizes the sending of illustrations by Slovenian authors to the central international illustration biennial BIB – The Biennial of Illustration Bratislava. The section regularly cooperates with the Public Book Agency, the Slovenian section of IBBY and other cultural institutions.