Pavel PIRIH was born on 28th April 1910 in Radovljica. He attended Secundary statuary school in Ljubljana (1924 – 1928). Despite the desire to go to university, he employed at the Traffic office in Radovljica and took care for his sick mother.
He suffered horrors of the war and after the world war II he registered at the Academy of fine arts in Ljubljana. His mentor was prof. Božidar Jakac. In 1949 he succesfuly graduated among the first generation of students.
Many years he was employed as artistic teacher in the Primary school Prežihov Voranc and in the Grammar school Jesenice. He also had art classes for Dolik members. In 1970 he retired. Until his death on 23rd August 1993 he lived in Jesenice.
- At the opening of the Art exhibition in Dolik exhibition saloon in Jesenice (August 2004):
Pavel PIRIH or Pirhov Pavel, as he was called, from Predtrg near Radovljica, was already in my years the real true painter whose work was very admired. Education on the Secundary statuary school in Ljubljana with mentor prof. Repiè made him a sculptor and a painter, especially a portraitist. I clearly remember the portrait of Meršol Tone from Predtrg, which Pavel painted at the pub table in his well known, self-centered monologue. His second portrait was the portrait of the cheerful character from Kamna Gorica (supposedly his name was Jaka), that often came to Radovljica where he loved to drink a glass or two in local pubs.
Both portraits are significantly expressive portraits. Pavel deeply accustomed himself to not only their external image, but also their inner, character image.
Pavel PIRIH was obstinate, free painter, a little bit bohemian in his behaviour and thinking, so the work at the Traffic office in Radovljica (which he had to do to be able to take care for his sick mother) probably chocked him.
In 1945 he became a student at the Academy of fine arts in Ljubljana with his mentor prof. Božidar Jakac. Painter and pedagogue Božidar Jakac contributed to Pavel's perfect skill of forming the human body, portrait and architectual landscape, which is clearly expressed in his work.
But what suddenly happened with painter's wide and deep painting vision? Like these perfect lines of bodies and faces took all his creative enthusiasm. Where are his vivid portraits, landscapes, sketces? This exibition reminded us to find these works and complete painter's opus.
During his pedagogic work in Primary school of Prežihov Voranc, in the Grammar school Jesenice and at art classes for Dolik members, Pavel's golden era of painting never repeated again. Wide artistic knowledge, which he got at the Academy, he didn't use for himself now, but passed it on his students. And that also tells a lot about the painter Pavel PIRIH.
Dr. Cene AVGUŠTIN
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