Mila Veljaca

Mila Veljac'a (also known as Plaickner), born in Croatia in 1959 and now based in Vorarlberg, Austria, is a renowned figurative-abstract painter. She studied in Vienna, Salzburg, and Stuttgart, among other places, and also shares her knowledge as a lecturer. Her oeuvre ranges from oil paintings on canvas and wood to works on paper, always characterized by a tense connection between figurative and abstract elements.


Her works transport us to surreal everyday scenes in which the ordinary and the absurd merge. Mila often uses a reduced color palette and deliberately leaves "unfinished" passages—a conscious look at the creative process. A special feature is her use of natural linen: she dissolves surfaces, leaving materials visible, and thus creates a tangible three-dimensionality through the process of destruction and redesign.


Thematically, her art revolves around modern people—their relationships, encounters, and personal stories. Titles such as "Woman with Blue Boots" and "Back to Back" illustrate her intense exploration of trust, connection, and individuality. Her works are included in public and private collections, including the State of Vorarlberg, Illwerke Bregenz, and various institutions. She is a member of the Thurn & Taxis Artists' House in Bregenz.