About us

About

The Croatian Association of Visual Artists (HDLU) is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit, and politically neutral union of professionals. Its membership consists exclusively of visual artists of all generations, working in all forms of expression and disciplines. The Association was established in 1868 and has been continuously active since then, though under different names. The basic aims of the Association are: to support and encourage contemporary visual expression, to improve and protect the freedom of visual expression, to organize exhibitions, and to participate in the making of the laws and rules regulating visual arts production and the social rights of the artists.

HDLU annually organizes or collaborates in the organization of approximately 40 exhibitions in four diversely profiled galleries. The exhibition program covers all segments of art presentation and production, ranging from large national and international manifestations to projects concerning new media pursuing experimentation.

The exhibitions are accompanied by lecturing programs, workshops, and presentations. Exhibition programs are flexible and our exhibition spaces are often used for the presentation of the variety of artistic disciplines ranging from dance to music and theater productions. 

The seat of HDLU is the famous Meštrović Pavilion, located on a beautiful square in central Zagreb. It consists of three exhibition spaces: Ring Gallery, Barrel Gallery, and Extended Media (PM) Gallery. Karas Gallery, the forth of HDLU’s exhibition spaces, is located on Praska Street by Ban Jelacic Square, Zagreb’s main square.

Mission

HDLU promotes the development of visual culture by taking care of the social and financial status of its members, encouraging artistic creativity and excellence, and conceiving and promoting a dynamic exhibition program and international cultural exchange.

Vision

HDLU strives to become a highly specialized and commendable union of professionals, establishing essential rights for its members and conceptual and organizational standards for the presentation of the visual arts in the Republic of Croatia within the reconstructed Meštrović Pavilion.

Values

Quality, candor, and diversity