Branko Paradis; an American, Self-taught, Art Naïve artist, was born in Zagreb, Croatia on July 7, 1942—on the kitchen table. World War II raged relentlessly, as he and the Paradis family struggled bravely for years with intense poverty, hunger and terrorism from Fascists.  At about age eleven, the young Paradis discovered drawing and painting, which brought some light and enjoyment into his life. While growing up, he’d watch the older artists do their work, and in time, they invited him to join them. He was immediately attracted to it and found something that could make him feel happier than he ever did. In exchange, he gave these more mature artists his mother’s cooking, that she provided for him each day, in exchange for any materials that these artists would be able to  give the young Paradis, so that he too could “make his pictures,” as the young boy-artist called it. This boy, it seems, had already made his decision and told his mom , nearly every day that: "he too was going to be an Artist, for always.”  This came to pass.  It was the only wonderful thing for the child that was born and lived through years of misery in war, utter poverty, and Fascist domination.

Above is a brief selection of paintings from Paradis’ “Art Naïve African Animals Series.”

All images Copyright( C) Branko Paradis. All Rights Reserved. 2020. Oil on Canvas. Reproduction, in any format, requires written permission.

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Branko Paradis clearly identified himself as a Self-taught Art Naïve painter. Eventually, the group of other Balkan artists in Croatia, accepted the young painter as one of their own. He never received any art training of any kind in his life, whether as a child finding art, or as a mature painter.

After the war, life was still hungry, and still repressive with Fascists. One’s only concern was survival. From childhood, Paradis loved everything American and growing up, all he could ever think of was how to get to America. Should he try to escape? Feeling so desperate, he made the attempt to cross the border into Italy, where he was captured, sent to political prison for six months. and finally, sent back to Croatia.

In the 1960s, he was still participating with other Croatian and Balkan artists, who were all part of a new Art Naïve movement. These artists, joined together and for group shoes in Germany, Switzerland and Venezuela. Lovers of this “newly” found art, made much of this possible.

Meanwhile, at the same time in i972, in New York City, Dr. Otto Kallir, owner and director of Galerie St. Etienne, was busy organizing the trip from Croatia and the Balkans to the to-be ground-breaking Art Naïve exhibition in New York City.

Otto Kallir had heard about Paradis’ work in Europe and Croatia. He personally invited Paradis to come to New York to participate in the show, giving Paradis the fortunate opportunity to leave Croatia. This was the dream realized which he carried within his heart and soul. After much work and waiting, Branko Paradis, with all his brushes and paints in tow, landed in New York. City. l. After much work and waiting, Branko Paradis, with all his brushes and paints in tow, landed in New York. City.

One of he most significant result of the Balkan exhibition at Galerie St. Etienne, was the involvement of Dr. Armand Hammer. Dr. Hammer’s personal invitation to Paradis to mount his own solo show at the Hammer Galleries, was an enormous acknowledgement given to the artist, of his immense appreciation that was felt for his work. This was an enormous accomplishment for Branko Paradis’ art and he was able to enjoy the good influences of this connection for many years to come . After thee few years few years of introduction in and around New York, Paradis ‘as found much appreciation for his art in the USA and elsewhere.

Dr. Armand Hammer, of the Hammer Galleries, also on West 57th Street, asked Branko Paradis to mount a one-man show at his gallery. He was so enthusiastic about Paradis’ work at Galerie St. Étienne, that he asked him to mount a solo exhibition at the Hammer Galleries.

Some years later, after much planning and work, from 1977-1978, Armand Hammer sponsored and directed this Branko Paradis solo exhibition.

It was hugely successful. At this point, Paradis was feeling very much at peace—a deep and a quiet happiness. There were not too many times that he felt like this. He had begun to accomplish what he always wanted —to live in America’s freedom, to breathe freely, as he lived an honest, loving life as a devoted Naïve self-taught painter.

Since the Hammer exhibition, Branko Paradis’ self-taught art Naïve, has been collected and enjoyed by many, both in the USA and abroad.

For more information, please contact us with any questions or comments you may have.

All Images Copyright (C) BRANKO PARADIS 2020. All Rights Reserved.

reproduction, in any Format, Requires Written Permission.