The marking of the centenary of this iconic artistic venue in Split begins with the exhibition One Hundred Years of the Salon Galić Gallery, jointly organised by HULU - Split (Croatian Association of Visual Artists) and the Museum of Fine Arts. With its century-long exhibition continuity, the Salon Galić Gallery represents a unique example of gallery activity in Croatia. Through a curated selection of documentary materials, photographs and artworks, the exhibition conveys the story of its founder Ivan Galić, the rich exhibition history of the Salon, and explores its broader cultural and artistic significance within the historical and contemporary fabric of Split.
The Salon Galić Gallery was founded by Ivan Galić (1884–1961), originally from Hrvace near Sinj, who was a passionate art collector. His first glass and picture frame workshop was located at the People’s Square (Cro. Pjaca) since 1912. In 1923, he moved to Marmontova Street where, a year later, alongside the shop and workshop, he opened an art exhibition salon. The salon was ceremoniously opened on 31 May 1924, with an exhibition featuring Split painters Emanuel Vidović and Angjeo Uvodić. Between the two World Wars, Salon Galić Gallery, as the only art exhibition salon in Split, was an indispensable venue for the display and sale of artworks, as well as a gathering place for artists. During this time, it showcased exhibitions of prominent Split, Dalmatian, and Croatian artists – Emanuel Vidović, Angjeo Uvodić, Ivan Mirković, Marino Tartaglia, Ignjat Job, Juraj Plančić, Jerolim Miše, Tomislav Krizman, Branislav Dešković, among others, as well as foreign artists and Croatian and regional art associations. During World War II, the Salon remained largely closed, but exhibition activities resumed in the summer of 1945. The Salon has been hosting annual May Day exhibitions of the ULUH (Croatian Visual Artists’ Association) Branch for Dalmatia, and from 1950 onwards it has been showcasing solo exhibitions of recognised artists, as well as amateurs, while also continuing to facilitate art sales. In accordance with the founder’s wishes, following Ivan Galić’s death, the Salon came under the stewardship of Split artists assembled within the ULUH Branch for Dalmatia. Subsequently, it transitioned into a branch and subcommittee of the HDLU (Croatian Association of Fine Artists), eventually evolving into a regional society, now part of HULU - Split. With its vibrant exhibition program, organising both solo and group exhibitions featuring established as well as young artists, the Salon Galić Gallery continues to be an essential hub of artistic life in Split and beyond, thus carrying on the tradition of Ivan Galić, whose name it proudly and rightfully bears to this day.
Curators: Sandi Bulimašić (HULU – Split), Jasminka Babić (Museum of Fine Arts)
The exhibition will remain open until June 1st, 2024.
The exhibition is financed by the City of Split, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, Split – Dalmatia County and Hrvace Municipality.
