Summer at the Castle Dedicated to Academic Painter Ejti Štih

On Tuesday, 16 June, Bled Castle opened Muzika and Vida, two exhibitions by academic painter Ejti Štih. This year, the artist was selected as the Face of Bled. To mark the occasion, her monograph will also be published later this year as part of the Novembrski opus collection.

“Castle painter Ejti would like to thank everyone who came. To be back home in Bled and to present not one, but two exhibitions here is truly a great honour,” said Ejti Štih, humorously thanking the many visitors who attended the opening of her two exhibitions in both gallery spaces at Bled Castle.

At the opening, the guests were welcomed by the director of the Bled Culture Institute, Lea Ferjan,  and the mayor of the Municipality of Bled, Iztok Pesrl. On this occasion, Lea Ferjan thanked the team of the Bled Culture Institute, whose work made an important contribution to the preparation and installation of both exhibitions.

In conversation with Darja Pretnar, Ejti Štih shared many interesting insights into her work, the creation of her paintings, and the themes presented in the current exhibitions. Her husband, Lucho Fernández de Córdova, connected two of her great loves, painting and music, through his guitar performance.

In the STOLP Gallery, visitors could view the exhibition Muzika. Music is an important part of Ejti Štih’s creative world, although she never listens to it while painting because, as she says, it absorbs her too deeply and influences her creative process. Nevertheless, the vivid red canvases depicting musicians reflect her profound connection with the world of music.

With the exhibition Vida in the Bitenčeva Hall, Ejti Štih raises questions about relationships between women and men, social expectations, power, and inequality. In Spanish, the title of the exhibition means “life,” while also paying tribute to Vida Pauluša, the creator of numerous embroidered works and lace pieces. Her daughter Maja, who was Ejti’s schoolmate in childhood, gifted the artist a large part of this lace collection several years ago.

These works also inspired a special spatial installation: a large bridal veil that invites visitors to reflect on women’s labour, which is often overlooked, and on the role of women in society. Or, as Ejti Štih puts it, from the bridal veil to floor-cleaning rags.

Both exhibitions will be on view at Bled Castle until 31 August 2026.