Illustrations in Motion - Illustrators
Presentation of illustrators
Illustrations in Motion (Video mapping)
Zvonko Čoh
Born 7 August 1956 in Celje.
Graduated in painting from the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts. Lives and works in Šujica.
Zvonko Čoh has created a unique artistic world of refined colour, masterful drawing and ethnological precision, highlighting the expressive, character and interpersonal dimensions of human, animal and object heroes, spiced up by Čoh’s abundant humour and contagious cheerfulness. His images are full of curious exploration. With the collection of books entitled Enci benci na kamenci, Zvonko Čoh revived the Slovenian children’s folk tradition, while he also brought to life the Slovenian children’s fiction hero figure Kekec in a series of picture books. He has transformed numerous Slovenian folk tales into breathtaking visual worlds (Hudičeva volna, Od Lintverna, the collection Za devetimi gorami, Tristo zajcev, etc.), as well as illustrating Svetlana Makarovič’s Teta Magda and Anja Štefan’s Štiri črne mravljice and the Slovenian translations of Puss in Boots by the Brothers Grimm, Jack the Fool by Hans Christian Andersen and The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend. Zvonko Čoh illuminates the poetic, fairytale and narrative spaces of many authors. His long-standing association with Andrej Rozman Roza (Mali rimski cirkus, Urška, Pesmi iz rimogojnice, Rimuzine in črkolazen, O začaranem žabcu, Predpravljice in popovedke, Uganke, Kekec, etc.) has given rise to outstanding works of art. Among other projects, he has collaborated with Aksinja Kermauner and her character Žiga Špaget to create the first Slovenian tactile picture books, supported by Braille and Slovenian sign language.
Illustrations used:
Zvonko Čoh, from the anthology SCRATCHINGS, stories, poems and riddles with illustrations by Zvonko Čoh, MKZ 2016
Ančka Gošnik Godec
Born 5 June 1927 in Celje.
Graduated from the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts, where she also completed her postgraduate studies in graphic design. Lived and worked in Ljubljana and Bohinj. Died on 15 March 2025.
With her artistic depictions and her tender fairy-tale sketches, Ančka Gošnik Godec tells the stories of people, animals and nature, enhancing the surroundings with a sprinkling of trinkets, emotions, landscapes and traditions. Her images have populated the imagination of every child and young person in Slovenia, whether in the frequently reprinted Muca copatarica by Ela Peroci, the same author’s collections of fairy tales (Za lahko noč, Na oni strani srebrne črte, Prisedite k moji mizici), various Slovenian and foreign folk tales (Tri botre lisičice, Zlata ptica, Janček ježek, Pšenica, najlepši cvet, O povodnem možu, Volk in sedem kozličkov, the collections Pravljice, Zverinice iz Rezije, Babica pripoveduje, Mamka Bršljanka, Lonček, kuhaj, Zlata skledica, Za devetimi gorami, Tristo zajcev, etc.), prose texts by France Bevk (Lukec in njegov škorec, Pestrna, etc.), Kristina Brenkova (Prigode koze Kunigunde) and Branka Jurca (Snežaki v vrtcu, etc.), or more recent works such as Lučka Regrat by Gregor Strniša, Zelišča male čarovnice by Polonca Kovač, and Iščemo hišico by Anja Štefan, as well as Slovenian children’s poetry and the rich anthology of stories and poems with her images entitled Zlata ptica. Ančka Gošnik Godec has bestowed indelible and delightful images on numerous literary heroes and heroines.
Illustrations used:
Ančka Gošnik Godec, from the book THREE AUNTIE FOXES, Rezijanska ljudska pravljica (Milko Matičetov), MKZ 1976; from the anthology THE BIRD OF GOLD, stories and poems with illustrations by Ančka Gošnik Godec, MKZ 2011
Marjanca Jemec Božič
Born 16 September 1928 in Maribor.
Graduated from the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts. Lives and works Ljubljana.
The illustrations by Marjanca Jemec Božič radiate warmth, cheerfulness and liveliness. The personalities and moods of her animal and human characters communicate with clear expression, movement and gaze, while her fairy-tale and real landscapes and events instantly attract the reader’s attention. She has dedicated her entire oeuvre to illustrations for children and young people, with which she has strongly marked the Slovenian literary landscape. Her unforgettable images enhance the works of Leopold Suhodolčan (Piko dinozaver, O medvedku in dečku, Pomladna razprodaja, etc.), Marja Cerkovnik, Tone Seliškar, Vida Brest, Ivo Zorman, Branka Jurca (Čuj in Katka, Ko Nina spi, Anča Pomaranča, etc.), Miha Mate (Papagaj Bine), Janez Bitenc (Medvedek sladkosnedek, Telefon v mestu Tutukaj, Trije mucini klobučki, etc.), Josip Ribičič (Nana, mala opica), Polonca Kovač (Mufijeve sanje, Deževen dan je krasen dan, Kaj se komu sanja, Jakec in stric hladilnik), Neža Maurer (Kam pa teče voda, Koruzni punčki), Miroslav Košuta (Galeb nad žitom) and Oton Župančič (Pomladna ladja). Marjanca Jemec Božič’s illustrations for folk tales and poems are extraordinarily beautiful. Particularly striking are her images for Tone Pavček’s Jurija Murija v Afriki and her rich collaboration with Anja Štefan (Melje, melje mlinček, Kotiček na koncu sveta, Gugalnica za vse, Škratovske oči, etc.). The anthology of stories and songs with her images entitled Pravljični cvet is uniquely precious and full of light.
Illustrations used:
Marjanca Jemec Božič, from the book by Leopold Suhodolčan PIKO THE DINOSAUR, MKZ 1978; from the anthology FAIRY BLOSSOM, stories and poems with illustrations by Marjanca Jemec Božič, MKZ 2013
Maja Kastelic
Born 25 September 1981 in Novo mesto.
Graduated in painting from the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts and Design, and then continued her postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Humanities in Koper. Lives and works in Trebnje.
The illustrations of Maja Kastelic radiate warmth and sanctuary. They are full of symbolism and minute details, enhancing even realistic narrative flow with a fairytale quality, following light, contrast and a sophisticated sense of space. She boldly entered the field of illustration with her own wordless picture book Deček in hiša. This was followed by a second original production Moj klobuk je lahko… and excellent collaborations with Brane Mozetič (Prva ljubezen, Alja dobi zajčka, Dežela bomb, dežela trav), Svetlana Makarovič (Korenčkov palček), Žiga Gombač (Adam in tuba), Tone Pavček (Don), Bogdan Novak (Zgodbice za dobro jutro, dober dan in lahko noč) and Nadine Robert (Špelca). Maja Kastelic illustrated the Slovenian folk song Sonček čez hribček gre and created a comic-strip adaptation of the Slovenian fable Muren muzikant ali kako so mravlje vzljubile umetnost. She also contributed to the stunning picture book Hans Christian Andersen: The Journey of His Life by Janisch Heinz, which is rich in information and fairy tales.
Illustrations used:
Maja Kastelic, from the book THE INVITATION, MKZ 2025
Marjan Manček
Born 3 January 1948 in Novo mesto.
Graduated in English and history at the Ljubljana Faculty of Arts. Lives and works in Selšček pri Cerknici.
Marjan Manček’s oeuvre is enriched by a cheerful view of the world and interpersonal relationships, a sophisticated and mild sense of humour, and appealing characters that always glow with stories and a range of moods. He is renowned for his vivid depictions of animals, often with distinctly human characteristics, and he is skilled in the fields of illustration, comic strips, cartoons and animation. He has gifted several generations of Slovenian children and adults with an abundance of illustrated books and images. Among the works he has brought to life are Pedenjped by Niko Grafenauer, Peter Nos by Leopold Suhodolčan, Peter Klepec based on the work of France Bevk, the Carinthian folk tale Mojca Pokrajculja in the version by Vinko Möderndorfer, Kozlovska sodba v Višnji Gori by Josip Jurčič, the anthology Slovenske basni in živalske pravljice, Zrcalce by Grigor Vitez, Veveriček posebne sorte by Svetlana Makarovič, Luža by Matjaž Pikal, and a Slovenian translation of the idiosyncratic The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen. He also works with a broad selection of other authors: Polonca Kovač (Težave in sporočila psička Pafija, etc.), Zvonimir Balog (Dežela smejalka, Jaz osel), Feri Lainšček (Cufek v živalskem vrtu, Rad bi), Slavko Pregl (Odprava Zelenega zmaja, Priročnik za klatenje, Geniji v kratkih hlačah, etc.), Berta Golob, Tone Pavček, Dane Zajc, Bina Štampe Žmavc, Saša Vegri, Miroslav Košuta (Ptička smejalka, Križada, etc.) and Boris A. Novak (Oblike sveta, Oblike srca, Oblike duha, etc.). Marjan Manček has illustrated the poetry anthology Primi pesmico za rep and numerous folk tales. He has also created a multitude of original stories full of wisdom and adventures, often connecting them with comic strips and his own heroes Modri medvedek, Brund and Hribci, or placing them alongside Veliki misli malega muca. His anniversary anthology Mančkarada: zgodbice, pesmice in stripeki is a pure joy.
Illustrations used:
Marjan Manček, from the book WHITER, WISE BLUE BEAR, MKZ 2014; from the MANČKARADA – ANTHOLOGY OF MARJAN MANČEK, stories, poems and comic strips, MKZ 2018
Lipa Prap
Born 28 September 1955 in Celje.
Graduated from the Ljubljana Academy of Architecture. Lives and works in Šmarjeta pri Celju.
Lila Prap has created a unique personal poetics with her picture books, interweaving and complementing text and illustration. Her warm, unique and humorous illustrations are based on large, flat, simplified and clearly recognisable depictions, with strong, natural colours and distinct contrasts. The curiosity and creativity that the illustrations awaken is matched by the artist’s superb literary accompaniment, creating a unified pictorial whole. Her legendary picture book Zakaj? has become a Slovenian publishing phenomenon, with numerous international sequels. Lila Prap has also created Mačje, Pasje in Žuželčje zakaje, as well as Dinozavre?!, Ptiče?! and Zmaje?! The picture book Zakaj so zebre progaste? was published in a parallel edition in Braille. Among her other excellent publications are Živalska abeceda, Mednarodni živalski slovar, Radi štejemo and 1001 pravljica, as well as the poetic illustrated masterpieces Male živali, Živalske uspavanke, Moj očka, Kam gredo sanje and the creative picture book Kraca.
Illustrations used:
Lila Prap, from the book BIRDS?!, MKZ 2019
Jelka Reichmann
Born 23 August 1939 in Ljubljana.
Graduated from the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts, where she also completed a specialisation in graphic design. Lives and works in Ljubljana.
Jelka Reichman is one of the most popular Slovenian illustrators. During her more than five decades of creative work, she has developed a distinct style that glows with subtlety, poetry, softness and light, finding a happy balance between the fairytale world and the real world. She knows how to capture gentleness even in sad moments, and her entire oeuvre reveals a love for nature, animals, children and life in general. Jelka Reichman has illustrated Šivilja in škarjice by Dragotin Kette, Miškolin by Josip Ribičič, Levi devžej by Prežihov Voranc, Abeceda na polju in v gozdu by Oton Župančič, Medvedki sladkosnedki by Srečko Kosovel, Kako spi veverica by Neža Maurer, Moj domek by Draga Tarman, Ptiček brez kljunčka by Anton Ingolič, Deklica iz Mihovega mlina by Ivo Zorman, the picture books Mišek and Mali medo by Polonca Kovač, Strašni volk by Svetlana Makarovič, as well as numerous books for the youngest readers (Moja koklja špiklja špoklja, Šviga švaga čez dva praga, Kaj sem prislužil, Domače živali, Letni časi, etc.). Of particular note are her illustrations for Prešeren’s Povodni mož and Pesem od Lepe Vide, as well as her many collaborations with Leopold Suhodolčan (Dvanajst slonov, Cepecepetavček), Janez Bitenc (Pisani klobuček, Tri muce in druge glasbene pravljice, Pesmice o sreči, etc.), Anica Černej (Hi, konjiček, Igrače korakajo), Kajetan Kovič (Moj prijatelj Piki Jakob, Maček Muri, Zmaj Direndaj, Pajacek in punčka, Zlata ladja, etc.) and Anja Štefan (Čez griček v gozdiček, Lonček na pike, Sto ugank, Še sto ugank, Lešniki, lešniki, Sadje z naše ladje, Imam zelene čeveljčke, etc.). Many Slovenian literary heroes have been unforgettably brought to life through Jelka Reichman’s images, and part of her rich oeuvre is collected in the anthologies Čudežni vrt and Rasla je Jelka.
Illustrations used:
Jelka Reichman, from the book by Kajetan Kovič HUSTLEBUSTLE THE DRAGON, MKZ 1981
Alenka Sottler
Born 24 October 1958 in Ljubljana.
Graduated from the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts and Design, where she also completed postgraduate studies in painting and obtained the title of assistant professor in painting. Lives and works in Ljubljana.
A significant part of Alenka Sottler’s oeuvre is devoted to contemporary and classical fairy tales and poetry. She precisely and firmly establishes a world that she constantly explores, shedding new light on its socio-critical dimensions. This world is conveyed into dreams and suspended veils, moving from precise black-and-white touches to original colouring. Alenka Sottler’s illustrations open up deeper worlds to children and adults. Among her unforgettable works are depictions of texts such as Prišel je lev by Lojze Krakar and O žabicah v rdečih kapicah by Helena Bechlerowa, Velikanovo srce and Zakaj je babica jezna by Lela B. Njatin, and Ure kralja Mina, Cesar in roža, Pesem za liro and Tri pravljice by Bina Štampe Žmavc, as well as Slovenian translations of Fairy Tales by Oscar Wilde, L’etranger by Albert Camus, Cinderella by the Brothers Grimm, Agnes by Cecilia Maria Gripe and Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. Her drawings breathe life into the poetic worlds of Oton Župančič (Mehurčki), Barbara Gregorič (Lena luna), Neža Maurer (Velik sončen dan), Michio Mado (Čudežni žep), Niko Grafenauer (Prividi), Andrej Brvar (Tri pesnitve) and Anja Štefan (Drobtine iz mišje doline), and are monumentally presented in the anthologies Svetovne pravljice and Svetlanine pravljice by Svetlana Makarovič, as well as in the excellent new translation of Bambi by Felix Salten.
Illustrations used:
Alenka Sottler, from the book by Anja Štefan TUNES FROM MOUSEDALE DUNES, MKZ 2017
Damijan Stepančič
Born 22 May 1969 in Ljubljana.
Graduated in painting from the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts and Design, where he has been employed as a lecturer since the 2016/17 academic year. Lives and works in Senožeče.
Always deeply thoughtful and explorative, with astonishing artistic and symbolic expression, Damijan Stepančič is undoubtedly one of Slovenia’s most recognised and diverse illustrators. His rich and extensive creative oeuvre is connected with numerous excellent authors. Defined by stories related to history and the lives and experiences of famous and powerful individuals, his works reflect the multiple layers of existence. We often encounter Damijan Stepančič in tandem with Peter Svetina (Ropotarna, Čudežni prstan, Kako je Jaromir iskal srečo, Antonov cirkus, Usodne platnice, Uho sveta, Domače naloge, Kako zorijo ježevci, etc.) and Lucija Stepančič (Anton!, Arsenije!, Kako so videli svet, etc.). His wordless picture books Svetilnik and Zgodba o sidru are unsurpassed, his comic strips have brought to life the figures of Baraga, Jurčič, Maister and Mira Marko Debelak-Deržaj, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Evaldo Flisar, Hlapci and Animal Farm in co-authorship with Andrej Rozman Roza, while his comic strips for children include Bor in Brina, Lojze in Peteršilj and Superga by Neli K. Filipić and Kapo in Bundo by Majda Koren. Nor can we overlook the Slovenian translation of The Happy Prince and Other Fairy Tales by Oscar Wilde, Pravljica o črnem šejku z rdečo rožo by Vitomil Zupan, the collection Hiša sanja by Dane Zajc, Negotove pesmi by Barbara Gregorič Gorenc, Naročje kamenčkov by Saša Vegri, Soči by Simon Gregorčič, and Prešeren’s Zdravljica and Krst pri Savici. Damijan Stepančič has provided the artistic accompaniment to the comprehensive and important poetry anthology Sončnica na rami and the poetry of Tone Pavček (Majhnice in majnice, Juri Muri po Sloveniji, etc.), while he has a deep association with Miroslav Košuta (Ljubezni to pesem, Trije žrebci). He has also illustrated Boštjan Gorenc Pižama’s picture book Učitelj Sova in jezično drevo and sensitively provided the artwork for the Slovenian translation of Angela Nanetti’s novel My Grandfather Was a Cherry Tree.
Illustrations used:
Damijan Stepančič, from the book by France Prešeren THE TOAST, MKZ 2013
Hana Stupica
Born 18 February 1988 in Ljubljana.
Graduated in visual communications from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana. Lives and works in Ljubljana.
Designer and illustrator Hana Stupica makes a strong impression with the distinctive aesthetics of her narrow colour palette and wealth of colour shades, as well as with her fascinating approach to composition. She is a master of animal characters, which she imbues with clear relationships and emotions, rendering them with exceptional precision and dressing them with abundant details and rich clothing patterns. Her work reflects an indelible painting and illustration heritage, which she upgrades in a breathtaking way with her distinctly original poetics and aesthetics. In illustrated editions, she has provided the artwork for the Ukrainian folk tale Rokavička, Anja Štefan’s Zajčkova hišica, Darja Marinšek’s Pozabljiva stonoga, and the book Schönwerthove pravljice. For the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, she created the visual concept for the play Zajčkova hišica. With her careful design approaches, she transfers the illustrative images of her own characters as well as those by illustrators Marija Lucija Stupica and Marlenka Stupica into useful everyday objects and prints, thereby expanding the scope and recognition of high-quality illustration.
Illustrations used:
Hana Stupica, from the book by Anja Štefan RABBIT’S LITTLE HOUSE, MKZ 2020 and from the anthology THE FAIRY TALE TREE, fairy tales and poems with images by Marlenka Stupica, MKZ 2010
Marlenka Stupica
Born 17 December 1927 in Maribor.
Graduated in painting from the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts. Lived and worked in Ljubljana. Died on 17 June 2022.
The creative world of Marlenka Stupica has been etched into the memories of several generations of Slovenian children and their families. It is set in dreamy far-off places, surrounded by antiquity and freedom, rendered with a fine precision capturing its own flow of storytelling, colours, serenity, harmony and longing. The illustrator’s favourite picture books are the Slovenian translations of Thumbelina and The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen, The Star Talers, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White by the Brothers Grimm, Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, and My Umbrella Can Turn into a Balloon by Ela Peroci. She has also illustrated Pastir by Matija Valjavec, Mehurčki by Oto Župančič, Krojaček Hlaček by Leopold Suhodolčan, the folk song Pojte, pojte, drobne ptice, and most notably her original picture book Čudežno drevo, as well as the anthology of fairy tales and poems entitled Drevo pravljic.
Illustrations used:
Marlenka Stupica, from the book by Ela Peroci MX UMBRELLA CAN BE A BALLON, MKZ 1962; from the book by Ela Peroci INTO FAIRY TALES, MKZ 2022
Peter Škerl
Born 8 May 1973 in Ljubljana.
Graduated in illustration and visual communication design from the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts and Design. Lives and works in Dolenjske Toplice.
Peter Škerl is a masterfully creative, diverse and thoughtful illustrator. His versatile oeuvre bears a unique artistic expression, whether bright and cheerful depictions intended for children, or completely imagined worlds of complex and refined illustrative accompaniments that uniquely connect the atmospheres of time periods, body language, facial lines, hands and clothing. Among his wide-ranging work, particular mention should be made of the picture books Deževnikarji by Špela Kuclar, Žogica Nogica by Jan Malík, Arlan pod preprogo by Andrej Predin, Pika v knjižnici and Ostržek bere za Bralno značko by Tilka Jamnik, Sonce in zmaj by Žiga Kosec, Kje so doma dobri možje by Zdravko Duša, Drevo in ptica by Andreja Borin, Rajski vrt by Erika Eichenseer, O zajcu, ki se je rad smejal by Grigor Vitez, and Kako objeti ježa by Jane Bauer. He has also collaborated with Cvetka Sokolov (Rdeča hiša, Šola ni zame!, Ponoči nikoli ne veš, Ah, ti zdravniki, etc.), Barbara Hanuš (Različna sva, rada se imava, Kje živijo živali), Ida Mlakar Črnič (O kravi, ki je lajala v luno, Tu blizu živi deklica) and Peter Svetina (Klobuk gospoda Konstantina, Debela pekovka, Sosed pod stropom, etc.). Particularly profound examples of the illustrator’s work can be found in Močvirniki by Barbara Simoniti, Butalci by Fran Milčinski, the Slovenian translation of Animal Farm by George Orwell, Baladne pravljice by Svetlana Makarovič, Skodelica kave by Ivan Cankar, Povodni mož by France Prešeren, Krušno mesto, which he dedicated to Plečnik together with Peter Svetina, and the picture book Skozi okna Ljubljane, based on a text by Uroš Grilc.
Illustrations used:
Peter Škerl, from the book by Žiga Kosec SUN AND DRAGON, MKZ 2022; from the book by Andreja Borin TREE AND BIRD, MKZ 2021.
Ana Zavadlav
Born 24 April 1970 in Šempeter.
Graduated in painting from the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts and Design, where she also completed a specialisation in graphics. Furthered her studies at the Department of Graphics, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (USA). Lives and works in Solkan.
Ana Zavadlav is a gentle yet directly concrete and sensitive illustrator with rich experience and a convincing visual language. Her illustrative work is a genuinely opulent blend of colourful and playful events and relationships, reflecting a condensed minimalism and veiled yet powerful spaces of existence and imagination. Particular mention should be made of her collaborations with Gaja Kos (Obisk, Nočni obisk), Anja Štefan (Medved in klobuk, Mišji ženin), Cvetka Sokolov (V našem vrtcu, Kot noč in dan, etc.), Barbara Hanuš (Obliž za moč in pogum, the series O Jakobu in muci Mici, Kevinovi oslički, etc.), Blaž Lukan (Fantek in Punčka), Barbara Gregorič Gorenc (Kdo je bil tu?), Neli K. Filipić (Kdo je kriv, da je zima bela in druge zgodbe, etc.), Nina Mav Hrovat (O miški, ki je izbirala pogum), Vitomil Zupan (Plašček za Barbaro), Peter Svetina (Molitvice s stopnic) and Lojze Kovačič (Dva zmerjavca). With Nataša Bucik, she co-created the picture book series Igrajmo se s Kukujem. Among Ana Zavadlav’s other outstanding works are her illustrations for the Slovenian translations of Toon Tellegen’s stories (The Healing of the Cricket, The Hedgehog’s Dilemna) and Italo Calvino’s monumental Italian Fairy Tales, as well as her images for Janez Menart’s poetry collection Zadnja pomlad, a collection of Slovenian fairy tales by Milko Matičetov and Anja Štefan entitled Tristo zajcev, and Špela Frlic’s Balkan fairy tales Dekle, obljubljeno soncu.
Illustrations used:
Ana Zavadlav, from the book by Italo Calvino ITALIAN FOLKTALES 1 and 2 (translated by Gašper Malej), MKZ 2022
The texts are taken from the catalogue Veličastnih 30, selected Slovenian book illustrations, biographies, quotes and a selection of awards by Maja Logar, MKZ 2024.
