Author — belaj.com

About the author

Janko Belaj (born 1965) is an independent fine-art photographer, graphic artist, and web programmer. He embarked on the journey into the world of photographic and graphic techniques in his early youth. His first works were published in the late 1970s, and since then, he has adorned numerous exhibitions and monographs in the field of art history (MUO, Muzejski prostor, Mimara, National Gallery in Ljubljana, Glyptotheque of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts…).

His client list includes several publishers, marketing agencies, and design houses (X-Press, Školska knjiga, Kult, DNA, Grey, Unex, CWH, Hand Design, McCann…) as well as various cultural and scientific institutions (IPU, FFZG, IARH, IEF, OFM, DARIAH…) and various production and sales companies (Končar, Podravka, Tuborg, Offertissima, Mercator, NTL, Turbo-Limač, Turbo-Sport…).

In 1998, he founded the first domestic portal dedicated to photography (fotozine.org), and since 2011, he has been a regular participant in the Foto Ars colonies. He is a member of the Department for Photography in Croatian Association of Artist of Applied Arts (ULUPUH), the Kadar 36 group and Croatian Freelance Artists’ Association (HZSU).

Janko Belaj: © 2015 Miroslav Arbutina - Arbe

Solo Exhibitions:

2020. “Lightcaptured third: wide vistas” in GALLERY KRALUŠ, Vatrogasna 3, 10380 Sveti Ivan Zelina, Croatia
2019. “Selfless Landscapes” in PUBLIC LIBRARY VLADO GOTOVAC SISAK, Kranjčevićeva 8, 44000 Sisak, Croatia
2017. 790 years / Požega in the Eye in POEŽEGA CITY MUSEUM, Matice hrvatske 1, 34000 Požega, Croatia
2016. “Suicidal Mr. Bones” (Samoubojiti Kosturko) in GALLERY ULUPUH, Tkalčićeva 14, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2015. “My Hat” (Moj Klobuk) in GALLERY BLACKBOX, Vrazova ulica 5, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2015. “My Hat” (Moj Klobuk) in KOPRIVNICA CITY MUSEUM, Stari magistrat, Trg dr. L. Brozovića 1, 48000 Koprivnica, Croatia
2014. “Lightcaptured [second]” (Svjetlopisi [drugi]) in PHOTO GALLERY SISCIA OBSCURA, I.K. Sakcinskog 2, 44000 Sisak, Croatia
2013. “Iće i piće. Prije” in PHOTO GALLERY SISCIA OBSCURA, I.K. Sakcinskog 2, 44000 Sisak, Croatia
2013. “Iće i piće. Prije” in PUB GALLERY CINKUŠ, Mletačka ulica 9, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2007. “Lightcaptured” (Svjetlopisi) IN CITY LIBRARY SOLIN, Zvonimirova 117 d, 21210 Solin, Croatia
2006. “Likovna poruka Ivana Krstaitelja Rangera” in IVAN KRSTITELJ RANGER GALLERY, Pavlinski samostan, Trg 1. Hrvatskog Sveučilišta, 42250, Lepoglava, Croatia
2006. “Lightcaptured” (Svjetlopisi) in GALLERY SANTA MARIA IN PUNTA, 85310 Budva, Montenegro
2004. “Czvet Szveteh Ivana Krstaitelja Rangera” in IVAN KRSTITELJ RANGER GALLERY, Pavlinski samostan, Trg 1. Hrvatskog Sveučilišta, 42250, Lepoglava, Croatia
2003. “Otvorena nebesa Galerija Ivana Krstaitelja Rangera” in IVAN KRSTITELJ RANGER GALLERY, Pavlinski samostan, Trg 1. Hrvatskog Sveučilišta, 42250, Lepoglava, Croatia

Group Exhibitions:

2024. “RECYCLED” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH members), in GALLERY ULUPUH, Ilica 13, Zagreb; 24.4.-9.5.2024.
2024. “vizura 2024 // eskapizam” (juried, biennial exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section), u GALERIJI ULUPUH, Ilica 13, Zagreb; 6.4.-20.4.2024.
2024. “Apartman” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH members), in GALLERY ULUPUH, Ilica 13, Zagreb; 1.3.-15.3.2024.
2023. “National heritage: Licitar” (juried, biennial exhibition of ULUPUH members), in GALLERY ULUPUH, Ilica 13, Zagreb
2022. “Svjetlo i sjene” (“Light & Shadows”) (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) on Zrinski Art Festival in Riznica Muzeja Međimurja Čakovec
2022. “Vizura 2022 // Reboot” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in GALLERY ULUPUH, Ilica 13, Zagreb, Croatia
2022. “Art Eco / Green Wheel of Balance” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH) in GALLERY ULUPUH, Ilica 13, Zagreb, Croatia
2021. “Dante 700: “Can it be good in Hell?”” (juried thematic exhibition dedicated to the anniversary of Dante’s Death organized by the City Museum of Križevci in cooperation with the Academy of Fine Arts of the University of Zagreb) in the Art Gallery of the City Museum of Križevci, Trg Antuna Nemčića 6/I, Križevci
2021. “All faces of Croatia” (juried group exhibition) in “Dom kulture”, Ul. Matije Antuna Relkovića 11, 35400, Nova Gradiška
2021. “ProART 2021” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in GALLERY ULUPUH, Ilica 13, Zagreb, Croatia
2021. “Self-portrait” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) on Zrinski Art Festival in Scheier hall, Čakovec, Croatia
2021. “Water 2021” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in GALLERY AMZ, Pavla Hatza 6,, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2020. “Art Eco / Woods” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH members) in GALLERY ULUPUH, Ilica 13, Zagreb, Croatia
2020. “Vizura 2020 // The Time of Extremes” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in GALLERY ULUPUH, Ilica 13, Zagreb, Croatia
2020. “Water 2020” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in GALLERY MODULOR, CeKaTe, Park Stara Trešnjevka 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2020. “Industrial heritage of the town of Sisak” (Abadžić, Arbutina, Belaj, Matošević) in HOLLAND HOUSE, Rimska ulica 10, 44000 Sisak, Croatia
2019. “Industrial heritage of the town of Sisak” / “Le patrimoine industriel de la ville de Sisak” (Abadžić, Arbutina, Belaj, Matošević) in EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE / COMITÉ ÉCONOMIQUE ET SOCIAL EUROPÉEN, Rue Belliard 99/101, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
2019. “KOM/ART 2019 – art as desired” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) at the Faculty of Graphic Arts, University of Zagreb, Getaldićeva 2, Zagreb, Croatia
2019. “Industrial heritage of the town of Sisak” (Abadžić, Arbutina, Belaj, Matošević) in MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF RIJEKA, Trg Riccarda Zanelle 1, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
2019. “Water 2019” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in GALLERY ULUPUH, Tkalčićeva 14, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2018. “AKTUALNO 6: ZAJEDNO” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in MIMARA MUSEUM, Trg F. Roosevelta 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2018. “Water 2018” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) on GALLERY CRVENO & CRNO, Trg žrtava fažizma 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2017. “Primijenjeno — strogo kontrolirani uvjeti” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) u GALLERY ULUPUH, Tkalčićeva 14, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2017. “Hearts of Istria” (Belaj, Hančić, Osrečak, Perić) in PHOTO-ART GALLERY BATANA, Trg brodogradilišta 2, 52210 Rovinj, Croatia
2017. “Industrial heritage of the town of Sisak” (Abadžić, Arbutina, Belaj, Matošević) in KARLOVAC CITY MUSEUM, Trg Josipa Jurja Strossmayera 7, 47000 Karlovac
2017. “Water 2017” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in THE “JOSIP RAČIĆ” STUDIO OF THE MODERN GALLERY, Margaretska 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2016. “Zenge – 25 steps” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in VUKOVAR CITY MUSEUM, Eltz Palace, Županijska 2, 32000 Vukovar, Croatia
2016. “20^th anniversary of demonstrations against the shutdown of Radio 101” (Belaj, Kalogjera, Mavar, Sirotić) in MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, Avenija Dubrovnik 17, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2016. “Industrial heritage of the town of Sisak” (Abadžić, Arbutina, Belaj, Matošević) in ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OSIJEK , Trg Sv. Trojstva, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
2016. “Current 5 – INTIMATELY” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in MIMARA MUSEUM, Trg F. Roosevelta 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2016. “Water 2016” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in THE “JOSIP RAČIĆ” STUDIO OF THE MODERN GALLERY, Margaretska 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2015. “Industrial heritage of the town of Sisak” (Abadžić, Arbutina, Belaj, Matošević) in PHOTO GALLERY SISCIA OBSCURA, I.K. Sakcinskog 2, 44000 Sisak, Croatia
2015. “COM/ART” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in GALLERY ULUPUH, Tkalčićeva 14, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2014. “Camera obscura” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in GALLERY ULUPUH, Tkalčićeva 14, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2013. “Water 2013” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in CROATIAN POST GALLERY, Jurišićeva 13, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
2012. “Current 3 – U svijetu paralelnih stvarnosti” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in MUSEUM LABIN, Ul. 1. Maja 6, 52220 Labin, Croatia
2012. “Current 3 – U svijetu paralelnih stvarnosti” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in PHOTO-ART GALLERY BATANA, Trg brodogradilišta 2, 52210 Rovinj, Croatia
2012. “Current 3 – U svijetu paralelnih stvarnosti” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in MIMARA MUSEUM, Trg F. Roosevelta 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2010. “Current 2+60” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in MUSEUM LABIN, Ul. 1. Maja 6, 52220 Labin, Croatia
2010. “Current 2+60” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in PHOTO-ART GALLERY BATANA, Trg brodogradilišta 2, 52210 Rovinj, Croatia
2010. “Current 2+60” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s photography section) in MIMARA MUSEUM, Trg F. Roosevelta 5, 10000 Zagreb
2004. Zagreb salon, in FOTOKLUB ZAGREB GALLERY, Ilica 29/3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
1995. “Naslijeđe u suvremenom” (juried exhibition of ULUPUH’s textile design section) in MIMARA MUSEUM, Trg F. Roosevelta 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
1986. Zagreb salon, in FOTOKLUB ZAGREB GALLERY, Ilica 29/3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Independent humanitarian actions (and virtual exhibitions):

Art projects and Works in Public spaces:

2014. Makarska – Biokovo, “Foto Ars Adrion”
2014. Maksimir, Zagreb, Annual Exhibition of Fotozine.org
2014. Photodays Rovinj, Video presentation of Fotozine.org
2013. Zagreb, 15th Anniversary Exhibition
2012. Iva – Nova Gradiška, Annual Exhibition of Fotozine.org
2012. Mukinje – Plitvice Lakes, “Foto Ars Japodija”
2011. Batana – Rovinj, Exhibition of Fotozine.org
2011. Rakovca – Plitvička jezera, Annual Exhibition of Fotozine.org
2011. Karanac – Baranja, “Foto Ars Danubia II”
2010. Photodays Rovinj, Exhibition of Fotozine.org
2010. Erdut, “Foto Ars Danubia”
2009. Zagreb, Annual Exhibition of Fotozine.org
2008. Zagreb, 10th Anniversary Exhibition of Fotozine.org
2007. More works on monographic exhibition Antun Lerchinger by dr. Anica Cevc, in NATIONAL GALLERY OF SLOVENIA, Prešernova cesta 24, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
2005. Photographs on the tram of City Center Varteks
2002. Photographs of desserts in restoration of the firm Siemens
2000. More works on exhibition “Mir i Dobro” (Umjetničko i kulturno naslijeđe Hrvatske franjevačke provicije sc. Ćirila i Metoda) in KLOVIĆEVI DVORI GALLERY, Jezuitski trg 4, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
1999. Participation in the international monographic project “Dawn of 21st century“
1991. photographs for the exhibition and catalog “Zagrebački kandelabri” by Igor Maroević, in MODULOR GALLERY, Park Stara Trešnjevka 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Monographs:

2006. Likovna poruka Ivana Krstitelja Rangera, ISBN: 953-6798-17-4
2004. Czvet szveteh Ivana Krstitelja Rangera, ISBN: 953-6798-11-5
2003. Otvorena Nebesa Ivana Krstitelja Rangera, ISBN: 953-6798-00-X

Selected Bibliography:

2023. Photography for the cover of the catalog "Deconstruction" – exhibition by members of the ULUPUH Department of Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery
2022. Four photographs with three mentions in the monograph Contemporary Croatian Fashion Photography from 1990s to the 2020s, Petra Krpan, ULUPUH
2022. “Estetika i etika baleta: ambivalentna opstojnost”, Ivana Katarinčić, IEF, Biblioteka nova etnografija (book cover)
2019. “Die Ernährungskultur in der kroatischen Ethnologie un Kulturanthropologie sowie die Forschung zur Praxis der Produktion und Konsumation alkoholischer Getränke” in “Jahrbuch für Europäische Ethnologie – Kroatien – 2019.” (photographs in anthology; M. Belaj; pgs. 77-94)
2019. “Povijesni rječnik hrvatskog kulinarstva, svezak 2, N-Ž”, Jelena Ivanišević (cover page)
2018. Photography for the cover of the catalog "Extravagant banalities" – exhibition by members of the ULUPUH Department of Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery
2018. “Digitalni katalozi Instituta za etnologiju i folkloristiku” (design and illustrations)
2018. Reproductions and portraits for the exhibition catalog “Sanela Đurinec Raič: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring”
2017. Callendar “790 years / Požega in the Eye”, Požega City Museum and City Požega
2016. “Čovjek i svemir”, cover page
2015. “Povijesni rječnik hrvatskog kulinarstva, svezak 1, A-M”, Jelena Ivanišević (cover page)
2014. “Branka Uzur”, katalog izložbe u Gliptoteci HAZU
2014. “Sveti trokuti”, Vitomir Belaj i Juraj Belaj (cover page and wrapper)
2014. “Okusi tradicije”, Melanija Belaj, Jelena Ivanišević, Danilo Dučak, J. B. (photographs in a cookbook)
2012. “A Taste of Island: 60 Recipes and Stories from Our World of Islands”, (Šoltanski kulin, Melanija Belaj i Marina Blagaić)
2012. “Pićanska biskupija i Pićanština” (photograph in proceedings)
2010. “Marija – nebeska ljekarna”, fra Ivo Pavić u Rhema, časopis za promicanje duhovne obnove
2009. “Etnolog Vitomir Belaj”, zbornik, Marija Mirković i J.B., islutrirani rad u zborniku.
2007. “Castles with a view” / “Dvori s pogledom”, Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ)
2007. “Anton Jožef Lerhinger”, Anica Cevc, Monograph; fotografi Marjan Smerke i J. B.
2007. “Alma Refugii Mater. Aljmaška Majka od utočišta.” (photograph in proceedings)
2006. “Zeiss, company history": paper in the FOTOmag magazine, vol. 29/72-75, vol. 30/78-81, vol. 31/86-89. (pdf content for FotoMag-29-30-31 (Croatian only))
2006. “Likovna poruka Ivana Krstitelja Rangera”, Marija Mirković i J. B.
2005. "Technical Camera": paper in the FOTOmag magazine, vol. 23/30-37 (pdf extract FotoMag-23 (Croatian only))
2005. “Mater Verbi Incarnati. Marija iz Nazareta prihvaća Sina Božjega u povijesti.”, Teološki radovi, vol.47, Kršćanska sadašnjost.
2005. “Fina – godišnje izvješće”, fotografije Mario Majcan i J. B.
2004. “Czvet szveteh Ivana Krstitelja Rangera”, Marija Mirković i J.B.
2003. “Otvorena Nebesa Ivana Krstitelja Rangera”, Marija Mirković i J. B.
2000. “Mir i dobro”. Katalog izložbe u Galeriji Klovićevih dvora.
1998. – 2017. višelisni kalendari Hrvatske franjevačke provincije sv. Ćirila i Metoda.
1997. – 1999. “Computer World – Hrvatska”, likovni i tehnički urednik, fotografske ilustracije.
1997. – 2006. “Marija. Vjerski list za Marijine štovatelje”, Ilustracije u kolumni.
1996. "Scanners in Professional Application": paper in VIDI magazine, vol. 8/30-47.
1995. “Proštenjarske crkve Hrvatskog zagorja”, Muzeji Hrvatskog zagorja i Muzej seljačkih buna, Gornja Stubica (photograph in proceedings)
1995. – 1996. “Kult”, likovni urednik, fotografske ilustracije.
1995. – 2004. “Brat Franjo.” Ilustracije u kolumni.
1995., 1998. “Radovi Hrvatskog društva folklorista.” Fotografije u zborniku.
1993. “Isusuvci i hrvatska kultura”, Hrvatski povijesni institut u Beču, ovitak.
1992. “Acta Facultatis medicae Fluminensis”, Zbornik radova sa znanstvenog kolokvija Crkva u povijesti zdravstvene kulture Hrvatske (photograph in proceedings)
1992. “Franjevci Hrvatske provincije sv. Ćirila i Metoda”, Monograph
1991. – 2004. “Marijin Trsat”. Ilustracije u kolumni.
1991. “Dometi” (photograph in proceedings)
1989. “Kultura pavlina u Hrvatskoj”. Katalog izložbe, Muzej za umjetnost i obrt
1989. “Svesci / Communio” v. 65., fotografske ilustracije iz ciklusa “Neke druge razglednice” i “Detalji mojega grada”.
1988. “Mundi melioris origo”, Zbornik radova s IX. međunarodnog mariološkog kongresa u Malti 1983. (photograph in proceedings)
1987. “Godišnjak zaštite spomenika kulture Hrvatske” vol. 13., fotografije u prilogu “Zagrebačka franjevačka crkva na Kaptolu i njezino kulturnohistorijsko značenje”