Vladimir Vlastja Simončič

Vladimir Vlastja Simončič (1911–2000) became a professional photographer following WWII, which he spent in the resistance movement and captivity. Constantly improving his skills as a self-taught artist, he worked for newspapers such as Tovariš and Slovenski poročevalec, as well as pursued theatre photography. He was arrested in 1949 during the Informbiro period and sentenced to six months in prison, but, being an established photojournalist, was soon able to continue working for various print media in the 1950s, before specialising in medical photography in 1957. In addition, Simončič was also active in artistic photography, where he focused on landscape and street photography as well as experimented artistically with the photographic medium; he was constantly looking for the ideal balance between a photograph’s composition, contrasts, and meaning. In the 1970s, Simončič moved to Gorenja vas, where he spent some of his most productive artistic years. He set up a private autobiographical museum in the old rectory, thereby also guaranteeing himself an entry in the annals of photography. Simončič’s Vlastja photo sanctuary, where the photos on display here have been taken from, is currently closed. The Škofja Loka Museum and the Municipality of Gorenja Vas–Poljane, however, are preparing a new, permanent exhibition of his collection at the Visoko mansion.