(24.5.1947, Jurklošter -7.7.2011, Babići)
Marjan Skumavc was a Slovenian academic painter, graphic artist, draftsman and illustrator. He also worked as a journalist and participated in various sports competitions. His family moved frequently during the artist's youth. This allowed Marjan to meet many people from the surrounding area and the nature around him.
He was particularly impressed by Notranjska and Gorenjska, which was reflected in his mature creative phase. The artist's artistic language was strongly influenced by his stay in Slovenske Konjice, where some of his most important works were created. Among them is Marat's Death. After 2000, he devoted himself primarily to painting and exploring landscapes and people. He sought the richness of life and the colorfulness of the soul in them. Marjan initially trained as a bricklayer, but later decided to pursue an artistic career. In 1968, he graduated from the School of Design in Ljubljana, and then continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts. He graduated there in 1972.
After completing his education, he attended classes with Bernik for two years. As a student, he received the Prešeren Award. In Ljubljana, he set up a studio at Gradišče 8, where he created until the end of his life. Skumavc was a versatile artist. His experiences from the world of sports were a frequent element in the artist's works. These were expressed through style, and often as grotesque elements with a strong social charge. He transferred the world, news, and newspaper chronicles into his works, which is why they seem like a kind of diary. He presented what he saw on paper or canvas. His style was initially calm and reserved, then instantaneous.
As a journalist, he collaborated with leading Slovenian dailies for almost thirty years, especially with Delo, where he created the famous column Nočna kronika, and wrote for Slovenske novice. He covered a wide range of topics, while illustrating the articles, which contributed to his recognizable journalistic style. During his creative journey, he organized almost seventy solo exhibitions. He also participated in several group exhibitions and art colonies. He also founded the Skumavče Art Days in Resnik on Pohorje. His legacy still speaks today from the artist's legacy. He was a humble man who combined art, sports and the life of people for people.
Marjan Skumavc je bil slovenski akademski slikar, grafik, risar in illustrator. Ukvarjal se je tudi z novinarstvom, večkrat pa je sodeloval tudi na raznovrstnih športnih tekmovanjih. Njegova družina se je v času umetnikove mladosti pogosto selila. Tako je Marjan spoznal veliko ljudi iz okolice pa tudi naravo okoli njega.
Še posebej ga je navdušila Notranjska in Gorenjska, kar se je odrazilo v njegovi zreli fazi ustvarjanja. Na umetnikov likovni jezik je močno vplivalo predvsem bivanje v Slovenskih Konjicah, kjer je nastal del njegovih najpomembnejših del. Med njimi najdemo tudi Maratovo smrt. Po letu 2000 se je posvetil predvsem slikarstvu in raziskovanju pokrajin ter ljudi. V njih je iskal življenjsko bogastvo in barvitost duše. Marjan se je sprva izučil za zidarja, kasneje pa se je odločil za umetniško pot. Leta 1968 je zaključil Šolo za oblikovanje v Ljubljani, nato pa je študij nadaljeval na Akademiji za likovno umetnost. Tam je leta 1972 tudi diplomiral.
Po končanem izobraževanju je dve leti obiskoval še pouk pri Berniku. Kot študent je prejel Prešernovo nagrado. V Ljubljani si je uredil atelje na Gradišču 8, kjer je ustvarjal do konca življenja. Skumavc je bil vsestranski ustvarjalec. Njegove izkušnje iz svea športa so bile pogost element v umetnikovih delih. Te so se izrazile preko sloga, večkrat pa kot groteskni elementi z močnim socialnim nabojem. V svoja dela je prenašal svet, novice, kroniko iz časopisja, zato te delujejo kakor, da gre za nekakšen dnevnik. Kar je videl je predstavil na papirju ali na platnu. Njegova poteza je bila sprva umirjena in zadržana, nato pa hipna.
Kot novinar je skoraj trideset let sodeloval z vodilnimi slovenskimi dnevniki, predvsem z Delom, kjer je ustvarjal znamenito rubriko Nočna kronika, ter pisal za Slovenske novice. Pokrival je širok spekter tem, pri tem pa je članke ilustriral, kar je prispevalo k prepoznavnemu novinarskemu slogu. V času svoje ustvarjalne poti je pripravil skoraj sedemdeset samostojnih razstav. Udeležil se je tudi več skupinskih razstav in likovnih kolonij. Ustanovil je tudi Skumavčeve likovne dni na Resniku na Pohorju. Njegova dediščina še danes govori iz umetnikove zapuščine. Bil je skromen človek, ki je združeval umetnost, šport in življenje ljudi za ljudi.
All the artists on the Porta Alpina website can be found at this link.
The text was prepared for the Porta Alpina gallery by Pia Župevec, B.Sc. art history
Besedilo je za galerijo Porta Alpina pripravila Pia Župevec, dipl. um. zgod.
SOURCES/VIRI:
Uroš BAŠIN, Razstava slik in risb, Marjan Skumavc (1947-2011) Življenje od blizu, https://mgml.si/sl/bezigrajska-galerija-2/razstave/604/marjan-skumavc-1947-2011/ (17.10.2025).
Marjeta GROS, Skumavc, Marjan (1947-2011), Obrazi Slovenskih pokrajin, Kranj, 2020, https://www.obrazislovenskihpokrajin.si/oseba/skumavc-marjan/ (22.10.2025).
Marjan ZAVŠEK LAŠKO, Zdaj vem, bil je Marjan Skumavc, Delo, 5.4.2019, https://www.delo.si/mnenja/pisma-bralcev/zdaj-vem-bil-je-marjan-skumavc, (25.10.2025).
https://skumavc.eu/biografija/ (10.11.2025).
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