from 04. Jul to 31. Aug 2025, from 9:00 to 20:00, Palatium and Estates Hall, Ljubljana Castle
Tomato Košir is one of the central figures in contemporary Slovenian design.
His opus includes graphic and typographic solutions, integrated visual images of organisations and products, publications, book collections, posters, original typefaces, and visual commentaries on the covers of newspapers and magazines, with which he has significantly marked the Slovenian and wider European space. Rather than shying away from conceptual depth, his work exploits it as a starting point for a visual narrative: for him, graphic design is a means of thought, commentary and social activation.
Košir graduated in visual communications from the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts and Design, where he now occasionally contributes as a lecturer. His work reflects a principled and clear position: thoughtful design must be intellectually honest, socially responsible and aesthetically convincing. His visual language is both original and functional; it is never self-serving, but always in the service of a message.
Košir has received numerous awards for his work both in Slovenia and abroad, most notably the Prešeren Fund Award for outstanding achievement in graphic design that confirms his contribution to the development of visual culture and his importance as a cultural actor beyond the design profession. Other prestigious prizes include the New York Type Directors Club Award, the New York Art Directors Club Award, the Red Dot Design Award, the D&AD Award, the Communication Arts Award and the Brumen Grand Prix. His projects are regularly presented at important Slovenian and international exhibitions and can be found in the collections of prestigious institutions.
The current exhibition presents selected works accompanied by the artist’s commentary, ranging from cultural posters to complex projects. Each work is a testimony to the power of visual language in shaping attitudes and opening up space for reflection.
Curator of the Exhibition: Dr Kaja Širok
Tomato Košir: Visual Commentary
1 | 8
Gaza — The stain that will remain
So far over 53,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli retaliatory attacks, including 13,000 children. The international community, including the EU, failed with the response.
This stain will remain, just like the one in Srebrenica. Client: Dnevnik, 2023
2 | 8
We are one, poster
Poster as a response to disturbing rise of discrimination, hostility, and violence — concurrent with the social upheaval sparked by the murder of George Floyd.
Client: The One Club For Creativity, 2022
3 | 8
46TH Jazz festival Ljubljana, poster
Jazz has historically been more than just music, serving as a social movement — an inclusive activity that brought together musicians of all races. Ebony and ivory. There is no piano without the black keys.
Client: Cankarjev dom, 2005
4 | 8
Laughter is the best medicine, logo
Client: orthodontist gregor Može, 2014
Age of rage: The ultimate guide to anger, cover
Client: The Guardian, 2019
7 | 8
Hamas attacks Israel
On 7 October, 2023, Hamas launched a rocket attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages.
Client: Politico, 2023
8 | 8
Tickets
Ticket sales from 4 July at Ljubljana Castle sales points, the lower funicular station on Krek Square, www.ljubljanskigrad.si and all www.mojekarte.si sales points.
For all visitors with the Castle ticket is free entry.
We recommend using the funicular railway to visit the exhibition. The number of parking spaces is limited. More information is available at the link.
