AntonTon: “He scoops the dark of night”, 2009. Oil on panel and digital medium. Courtesy of the artist.
The Magic of the Illustrated Page
BRUSSELS / ZAGREB / ORAHOVICA – Following a profound month spent exploring the silent, psychological spaces of Tanja Balac, we shift our focus this July to a creator who breathes vivid, tactile life into the world of literature. We are exceptionally proud to unveil the acclaimed Croatian freelance illustrator Tomislav Torjanac as our Artist of the Month.
For our audience members who appreciate the transformative synergy of narrative depth and visual mastery, Torjanac’s work offers an extraordinary masterclass in how a story can be felt as much as it is read.
Illuminating Global Literature
Born in 1972 in Našice, Torjanac spent his childhood and formative years in the neighbouring Slavonian town of Orahovica – a place of upbringing he holds in deep affection and which served as the early, quiet canvas for his storytelling imagination. From these rooted beginnings, he has gone on to forge a distinguished international reputation through an exquisite technique that seamlessly marries the rich texture of traditional oil paints with the fluid possibilities of digital media.
His definitive breakthrough onto the global stage occurred in 2006, when he won a highly competitive international competition to illustrate a prestigious new edition of Yann Martel’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel, Life of Pi. Published by Canongate Books in September 2007, the edition featured forty stunning illustrations by Torjanac. The work was an immediate critical triumph, securing first prize at the British Book Design and Production Awards in 2008 and subsequently being published in ten countries across the globe.
Beyond the vast horizons of the Pacific Ocean in Life of Pi, Torjanac has lent his singular visual language to some of the world’s most celebrated authors. His beautifully designed picture books have brought fresh, imaginative interpretations to the texts of literary giants including:
- James Joyce
- Ted Hughes
- Daniil Kharms
- Karel Čapek
- Hans Christian Andersen
A Legacy of Critical Accolades
Torjanac’s ability to capture the architectural essence of a story has earned him widespread institutional acclaim. His distinct contribution to the visual arts was celebrated in 2012 with the prestigious Grand Prix at the 4th Croatian Biennial of Illustration. Demonstrating his versatility across cultural mediums, he was also awarded the Porin music award in 2015 for the best recording package design.
His illustrations do not merely decorate a page; they expand the text, creating an immersive playground for the mind that aligns beautifully with the imaginative rigour we champion at Pluartis.
What’s Next: The Full Feature
This introductory announcement is only the beginning of our exploration into Torjanac’s spectacular worlds.
By mid-July, we will debut a comprehensive, beautifully curated full profile on a webpage dedicated entirely to his practice. This feature will include an in-depth look at his creative philosophy alongside a hand-picked selection of his masterworks, allowing our community to experience the breathtaking scale of his storytelling imagery up close.
Stay tuned over the coming weeks as we welcome the rich, painterly imagination of Tomislav Torjanac to the Pluartis ecosystem.