Jozef Bajus
Jozef Bajus, a Slovakian-American artist born in Kezmarok, Czeckoslovakia in 1958, embarked on his artistic journey at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design/AFAD in Bratislava, Slovakia from 1979 to 1985. There, he not only obtained his BFA and MFA but also honed his skills in fiber and mixed media art. Currently holding the esteemed positions of Associate Professor of Design and Coordinator of the Fiber/Design Program at Buffalo State College (BSC) in Buffalo, NY, Jozef stands as a distinguished figure in the art world.
His remarkable talent has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2016 Langley Kenzie Award, bestowed upon an exceptional artist from the Art in Craft Media biennial at the Burchfield Penney Art Center in fall 2015. This esteemed recognition led to a solo exhibition in honor of Ms. Kenzie. Furthermore, Jozef received the 2008 Esprit de Corps Award at the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo, as well as the esteemed President’s Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Creativity in 2008 at BSC.
Jozef’s artistic prowess has been showcased on a global scale, with exhibitions throughout Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Japan, Korea, USA, and Canada. Notable solo shows include “Lendfield 2014” at Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center, “The Combing Wave – Recent Works 2008” at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery’s Collectors Gallery, and “Curved Circle 2006” at the Buffalo Art Studio and Museum & Art Gallery of Koloman Sokol in Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia.
Being passionate about sharing his knowledge, Jozef has conducted fiber workshops at esteemed institutions such as the American Craft Museum in NYC (2001), the Penland School of Art and Craft (2005), the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts (2007, 2010), the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts (2000, 2008), and Split Rock (2009). His exceptional artworks can be found in notable public collections, including the Moravian Art & Craft Museum in Brno, Czech Republic, the Slovak National Gallery in Bratislava, Slovakia, the Racine Art Museum in Racine, WI, the Gregg Museum of Art & Design in Raleigh, NC, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo, NY. In addition, Jozef’s pieces have found their way into numerous private collections across Europe, Canada, Japan, and the USA.
