Ivo Kličinović Art Gallery | Brač Through Colours, Sea and Stone Landscapes

The Ivo Kličinović Art Gallery is not a place one stumbles upon while wandering through Postira. It is a space that particularly attracts those interested in the island from a different perspective — not through its beaches and restaurants, but through paintings that aim to convey the essence of life on Brač.

Ivo Kličinović Bello is an academic painter who lives and works in Postira, and a significant portion of his oeuvre is tied to Brač. The sea, olive groves, stone slopes, dry-stone walls, waves, coves, and island landscapes are motifs that continually appear in his works.

What becomes apparent after just a few minutes of viewing is that the paintings are not typical postcard representations of the island. In many canvases, Brač appears strong, almost raw — depicted through expressive brushstrokes, thick layers of paint, and pronounced contrasts of light and shadow. The motifs of the sea and waves, for which the artist has become well-known, are particularly striking.

Many visitors expect a typical small island gallery, but the space leaves a different impression. The works are large in scale, full of texture and energy, often causing one to linger longer than intended while observing the details of waves, rocks, or olive trees that feature on the canvases. It is through these motifs that the artist's connection to the landscape of the island he inhabits is evident.

Interestingly, Kličinović was a musician before seriously pursuing painting, having played the bass guitar for many years. This sense of rhythm and movement is something many notice in his paintings, especially in the series dedicated to the sea, where the waves seem almost to move before the viewer.

Postira holds a special place in his work. The artist has exhibited several series dedicated to the old Postira, island customs, and landscapes that are slowly disappearing under the influence of modern life. Some works depict locations that local residents will immediately recognise, while visitors may discover parts of Brač they might not otherwise notice.

The gallery is also intriguing because it does not function as a typical tourist space. Instead of mass-produced souvenirs, one can see how a local artist perceives the island he calls home. As a result, a visit often leaves a more personal impression than touring larger museums or exhibition spaces.

If during your stay in Postira you wish to take a brief respite from the beach and explore Brač through art, the Ivo Kličinović Art Gallery is one of those places that demonstrates how the sea, stone, and olives can appear differently when observed by someone who has contemplated them for a lifetime.