János Göncz from Lendava

Proposer: Štefan Huzjan

As a young farmer's boy János Göncz was forced to interrupt schooling quite often because of the war and because of moving often. But he nonetheless steadily followed his own life's aim. As a part-time student he became a toolmaker in Germany as a painter he is self-taught. His creativity has been an example for many. He is open-handed: many of his works have been given to individuals or institutions at home and abroad. With the knowledge he gained and with incentive he helped his wife when she started to learn painting. Since 1991 he is living in his native place. He is enriching his knowledge and the understanding of the world through reading books and through the contacts with his fellow painters. "For me - learning has always been foremost the means to enjoy in creating something beautiful and I have never experienced it as a toil" he says. He wrote a book on the life in a village in the times of his youth which he also illustrated. He has been exhibiting since 1975, at home and abroad. He received an award for his pictures on Ecology and Natural Heritage.