The Croatian Museum of Tourism cordially invites you to the opening of the exhibition Tisja Kljaković Braić: Eh, No One Steals Hotel Towels Anymore, which will take place on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 8:00 PM at Vila Angiolina.
The exhibition will remain open until September 6, 2026.
🗓️ Exhibition Side Programme
- Friday, July 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM
- In Conversation with Tisja: The Funny Side of Tourism
- Moderated by the exhibition curator, Dr. Frano Dulibić, Full Professor
- Location: Croatian Museum of Tourism, Vila Angiolina
About the Exhibition
The exhibition features a new series of drawings and paintings through which Tisja Kljaković Braić focuses on tourism, a phenomenon that crucially defines the modern Mediterranean. Over the past decade, Tisja’s drawing style has evolved into a widely recognized communication phenomenon that transcends the boundaries of classical fine art. Her drawing is the primary vehicle of character and space, a precise instrument that immediately establishes a direct connection with the viewer.
In the exhibited works, Tisja Kljaković Braić takes the idea of a journey as her starting point, both the lifelong journey that begins at birth, and the journeys associated with rest, leisure, and tourism. It is precisely these travels, changes in daily routine, and encounters with people that serve as an inexhaustible source of inspiration for the author, who observes seemingly ordinary moments of life with immense warmth and humor.
At the heart of the works are, once again, “Them” (Oni), the recognizable characters of a husband and wife. Through brief dialogues in authentic Split dialect and a simple, refined drawing style, they reveal the universality of human relationships. These sharp, witty remarks comment on crowds or prices, functioning as a summer soundtrack in a perpetual, humorous misunderstanding with global visitors. Their adventures and small joys thus become experiences that resonate with visitors of all generations.
Intimate Rituals of the Summer State of Mind
Tisja has no need for backdrops of overcrowded beaches; space is reduced to an absolute minimum of details. A single isolated object, a hotel bed, a bathroom, or the interior of a car, possesses the power to instantly locate characters who live in the pure space of the essential summer state of mind. Here, tourist reality is demystified and brought down to the level of banal yet poetic rituals. The tourist season brings a specific paradox: the intimate space of the local person temporarily retreats and adapts to the commercial rhythm, and through the artist’s eye, we bear witness to this peculiar moment.
The exhibition comprises about forty illustrations in felt-tip pen and acrylic on paper, and about ten paintings executed in acrylic on wood panel. Them as Tourists and Them as Landlords narrate small everyday anecdotes with a signature dose of humor. The paintings featuring a road motif strike a more serious tone. In these works, the road transcends its literal depiction to become a symbol of life’s path, transience, choices, and the experiences that shape a human being. This establishes an intriguing dialogue between the brightness and wit of the drawing cycle and the more thoughtful, introspective dimension of the painted works.
In contrast to stereotypical depictions of mass tourism, the artist does not portray typical scenes or tourist attractions. Her attention is directed toward small, intimate moments that often go unnoticed, staying in a hotel room or the brief conversations that define every vacation. It is precisely in these everyday situations that she finds humor, warmth, and humanity, reminding us that the most valuable moments of travel are often those that can neither be planned nor bought.
A Word from the Curator:
This exhibition functions as a humorous mirror reflecting both hosts and guests, with an emphasis on the grotesque traits of our mentality. The clash between the local and the global does not result in cynicism, but rather in a recognizable humor of universal legibility. Tisja’s drawing reminds us that tourism is actually like a theater of human nature.
Behind the scenes of seasonal chaos and mass tourism hides the eternal Mediterranean, attached to the essence of life and love, which manifests most beautifully through a specific Dalmatian hedonism. This hedonism is not a luxury from a catalog; it is the basic right of the ordinary person to enjoy the moment, like drinking coffee in the deep shade or gazing at the open sea. Through these drawings, the artist reminds us of the forgotten skill of slowing down and surrendering to the pure pleasure of existence. This summer dolce far niente becomes the ultimate act of resistance against modern consumerism and a reminder that the most precious moments of summer are, in fact, completely free.
— Dr. Frano Dulibić, Exhibition Curator
About the Artist
Tisja Kljaković Braić is one of the most recognizable contemporary Croatian artists. Alongside painting, she engages in caricature and illustration. She is widely known to the public for her minimalist drawings and her signature characters “Him” (Njega) and “Her” (Nje), simply shaped with just a few confident lines and witty dialogues.
She is the author of several highly successful books, including Oni (Them), Oni 2, U malu je uša đava (The Devil Entered the Little One), and others. A major monographic exhibition of Tisja Kljaković Braić’s work was held at the Klovićevi Dvori Gallery, and in 2023, she wrote and illustrated the children’s book Pita moja mama imate li jedno jaje (My Mum Asks If You Have an Egg). The Poco Loco Theater adapted this book into a children’s play. Her works are included in the holdings of museums and galleries, as well as in numerous private collections in Croatia and abroad. She has exhibited in around forty solo and thirty group exhibitions both at home and internationally.
About the Exhibition Curator
Dr. Frano Dulibić is a Full Professor at the Department of Art History, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb. He teaches courses in the fields of fine arts, art history teaching methodology, and the history of Croatian and Central European art. His scientific interest is focused on 20th-century Croatian painting, the history of caricature, illustration, posters, comics, and public sculpture. He has authored numerous scientific and professional papers, exhibitions, and public lectures, as well as several significant monographs. Alongside his research and teaching career, he continuously works as an exhibition author and curator, actively participating in the promotion of Croatian fine arts.
ℹ️ Imprint and Organization
A bilingual catalog (Croatian-English) has been published on the occasion of the exhibition.
- Organization: Croatian Museum of Tourism
- Catalog Editor: Nataša Ivančević
- Text Author, Concept, and Exhibition Curator: Dr. Frano Dulibić, Full Professor
- Exhibition Setup: Lada Sega
- Technical Setup: Ranko Puž
- Design and Layout: Wanda design
- Proofreading: Dijana Stanić – Rešicki
- Translation: Martin Mayhew
- Media Promotion: Ivan Modrić
🕒 Museum Opening Hours
- Every day: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Note: The museum is closed on Mondays.
