Slavko Oblak Gallery Brings New Life to the Mrak Homestead
A ceremonial event marking the establishment of a retrospective exhibition by sculptor Slavko Oblak took place at the Mrak Homestead in Rečica near Bled on Friday, June 12. The bronze sculptures donated by the artist to Bled will be permanently displayed in the newly established Slavko Oblak Gallery.
The significance of this new cultural addition and gratitude for the donation were expressed by the Director of the Institute for Culture Bled, MA Lea Ferjan, and the Mayor of Municipality of Bled, Anton Mežan. During the ceremony, Slavko Oblak was visibly moved and delighted as he toured the new gallery. A tripartite donation agreement was signed, and a commemorative plaque, created by the sculptor himself, was unveiled. Members of the Alpski kvintet, celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, added an authentic Gorenjska atmosphere to the event.
Lea Ferjan, Director of the Institute for Culture Bled, stated: “With the opening of the Slavko Oblak Gallery, we are enriching the cultural offering of Bled and its surroundings. We are creating a unique and profound connection between the space, the sculptor Oblak, his life, and the creative world he has shaped throughout the years. Particularly remarkable, courageous, and deeply moving is Slavko Oblak’s decision to donate his life’s work to his hometown. This gesture transcends art itself. It is an act of belonging and trust. It is a gift to future generations, who will discover in his work a story of creativity and roots.”
Visitors to the new gallery also had the opportunity to attend the premiere screening of the promotional film Slavko Oblak – Hands of Nature, dedicated to the Mrak Homestead. The Institute for Culture Bled will submit the film to the Heritage in Motion Awards, one of the most important international events in the field of digitalization and contemporary interpretation of cultural heritage. The festival recognizes innovative audiovisual and multimedia projects that present heritage in modern, accessible, and technologically advanced ways.
Earlier this year, the Institute for Culture Bled successfully completed the renovation of the former barn at the historic Pr' Mrako estate, which now houses the Slavko Oblak Gallery. The exhibition presents the sculptor’s works from his earliest creations through to the present day, offering visitors a comprehensive insight into his artistic journey and development.
The gallery features around 400 sculptures of various sizes, complemented by six outdoor sculptures displayed in the garden. Two sculptures welcome visitors at the entrance to the gallery. A special place in the exhibition is also reserved for a wooden rocking horse more than 90 years old, handcrafted for Slavko Oblak by his father. The art of Slavko Oblak brings a touch of modernity, aesthetic freshness, and new interpretations of space to the homestead.
The new gallery will open its doors to visitors once the occupancy permit has been obtained and new staff members have been employed. Various events and workshops are planned at the Mrak Homestead in the future, with the programme developing in line with funding secured through public calls. The homestead has already been successful in obtaining support from the European Fund for two projects: Mrak House – Monument Stabilisation and Preparation of Restoration Works and Mrak Homestead – Barrier-Free Tactile Gallery and an Interpretive Trail for Environment and Health.
Visitors attending the opening of the new gallery also had the opportunity to watch the premiere of the promotional film Slavko Oblak – Hands of Nature, dedicated to the Mrak Homestead. With this film, the Bled Culture Institute will participate in the international Heritage in Motion Festival, one of the most important events in the field of digitalisation and contemporary interpretation of cultural heritage. The festival recognises innovative audiovisual and multimedia projects that present heritage in a modern, accessible, and technologically advanced way.
This year, the Bled Culture Institute successfully completed the renovation of the former barn at the historic Pr' Mrako estate, which now houses the Slavko Oblak Gallery. The new gallery presents the works of sculptor Slavko Oblak, showcasing his artistic journey from his earliest creations to his most recent works.
Stories Cast in Bronze
Slavko Oblak was born in 1934 in Rečica, on a farm locally known as “pri Klemenovih”. His family was connected to relatives from the Mrak Homestead. Like his father, he trained as a carpenter, but after completing his military service in the 1950s, he decided to study art abroad. During his studies, he earned money by working in a foundry, which influenced his decision to make bronze his favourite material. He studied under Professor Heinrich Kirchner and graduated in sculpture from the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich.
At his second home, a farm in Kumhausen where he now lives, he also established his own foundry for casting sculptures. His works adorn and aesthetically complement many public buildings and parks in Landshut, a city also known as the city of fountains and public sculptures. All his works, especially the many fountains found in other Bavarian towns as well, reflect his deep, elemental relationship with nature, with which he lives in close coexistence.
In 2022, the Bled Culture Institute selected Slavko Oblak, who is also a recipient of the Golden Plaque of the Municipality of Bled, as the Face of Bled. On this occasion, the monograph Slavko Oblak – Artist and Craftsman was published as part of the November Opus book series. It presents the remarkable life and creative journey of Slavko Oblak, which led him from a humble farm boy from Rečica near Bled to an acclaimed sculptor.
Slavko Oblak Sculpture Trail
Bled is home to five sculptures by Slavko Oblak. The first, Cyclamen by the Lake, was installed in 1997. The Bud Fountain in front of the Municipality of Bled followed in 2002. In 2004, marking the millennium of the first written mention of Bled, the statue of the Madonna and Child was placed in the chapel of Bled Castle.
Since 2021, Bled has also been home to Castle Flower, installed in the castle park, which the Bled Culture Institute fully renovated in 2019. The most recent sculpture, Bled Bird, found its place in the garden in front of the Festival Hall in 2024. Since 2024, all five sculptures have been connected as part of the Slavko Oblak Sculpture Trail.
More information about the Sculpture Trail is available at: www.zavod-za-kulturo-bled.si/en/projects/faces-bled/sculpture-walk/