foto: Janez Vlachy

Leon Zakrajšek born 26th March 1962 in Ljubljana, attended Schol for design between 1977-1981. In the years between 1982-1986 he studied at the Academy of Arts in Ljubljana and than he continued to deepen his knowledge and skils at the Centre Internacional de Recerca Grafica in Spain in 1988. Between 1997-98 he also received a grant from the Japanese government to study at the Tama Art University in Tokyo as well as in Hanga Kobo-Seya-ku private atelier for printmaking, where his mentor was Harumi Sonoyama and by other masters wood engravers: Fumio Kitaoka, Yuki Rei and Seiko Kawachi.

Apart from creating he also occupies himself with preparation of art projects and exhibitions. In 1993 he organised the 1st International exhibition of small graphic prints in Slovenia which was held in Maribor and in 1996 he, in cooperation with the Japan Print Association (JPA) organised an exhibition of 100 members of JPA IN Škofja Loka. In the same year he established the Kobe Art Aid Project with the idea to donate works of Sovene artists to the victims of the Kobe earthquake. He managed to collect 76 works of art by 51 Slovene artists and he also gained co-operation and support of the Japan Print Association, and the project obtained a new name "Hanshin Awaji Art Aid Slovenian Donation by Leon Zakrajšek". In January 1998 on the day of the anniversary of the earthquake he, together with JPA organised an exhibition in the Pias Gallery in Osaka. In march 1999 he was invited by the organisers to vist Cremona and co-operate the International exhibition of original prints.He was alsonominated for a member of the Expert Scientific Comittee and selector of works of Slovene, Japanese and Taiwanese artists for the International exhibition in year 2001.

In year 2002 in May organize in Ljubljana exhibition and demonstration of Japanese wood block printing technique of Japanese Art Group HAN 17, same year Forefin Ministry of Republic of Slovenia organize a show of works of Leon Zakjrajsek in honour of Her Royal Majesty Princes Sayako FROM Japan during her visit to Slovenia.
In year 2002 he was selected again for member of Scientific Comittee and selector of artist from Slovenia, Bosnia and Hercegovina and Japan and in year 2003 for member of Scientific Comittee and selector fror artist from Slovenia, Israel, Japan and SCG.
He has taken part in over 160 exhibitions in Austria, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Italy,Japan, Korea, Malta, Mexico, Germany,Grece, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Turky, SCG and USA.
He has recived numerous awards and recognitions at home and abroad.Since 1987 he is a member of Slovene Fine Art Association in 1998 become a member of the Kamakura Print Collection, since 2003 Honorary member of Tokyo Print Group HAN 17 and chairman of Printmaking at Slovene Fine Art Association.