Life and Education
Pristavec was born in Maribor, where he spent his childhood and youth. He began painting as a child. In 1974, he enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ljubljana, where he studied under renowned Slovenian artists such as Bogdan Borčič, Nikolaj Omersa, Zoran Didek, Gabrijel Stupica, and Štefan Planinc. He graduated in 1979 and returned to Maribor, where he worked as an independent artist and educator.
Early Work (1971–1974)
His early drawings focused on portraits, self-portraits, nature motifs, and landscapes. He used techniques such as drypoint, ink, and linocut. Even in this period, his tendency toward experimentation with form and perspective was evident.
Academic Years and the Influence of Modernism (1974–1979)
At the academy, he initially focused on realistic depictions of animals, figures, and landscapes. Later, he explored color relationships and engaged with artistic movements such as Fauvism (Henri Matisse), Abstract Expressionism (Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman), and expressive figuration (Neue Wilde), which was reflected in his color-intensive style.
Graphics and Color Exploration (1980–1995)
From 1980 onward, Pristavec engaged in graphic techniques (linocut, woodcut), as well as exploring color fields, deformed figures with erotic undertones, and painting Komodo dragons – the “Tuataromahia” series. He created several watercolor cycles on paper, such as the “Meljski hrib” series and coastal cityscapes. “Meljski hrib” was exhibited at the painting competition “Ex tempore ‘83”. Under the influence of the Neue Wilde movement, he developed expressive large-format figuration on crumpled paper, conveying ritual, tribal, and mythological messages. He also created an extensive series of works exploring color relationships and effects, where the crumpled paper surface served as a dynamic field that encouraged optical depth and emotional engagement.
Abstract Realism and Portraits (1993–1999)
After a period of abstraction, Pristavec returned to portraiture, approached through color expression and psychological depth. He drew inspiration from Modigliani, Cranach, Soutine, Velázquez, and Kokoschka.
See: Mileta, Edita, Leskošek, Ivan: Janez Pristavec. Paintings, Umetnostna galerija Maribor, Exhibition Hall Rotovž, June 1994
Caricatures and Existential Drawing (1999–2006)
In his later years, he created croquis – spontaneous drawings of people in urban settings, often during cultural events he regularly attended. These works are characterized by quick sketching and a distinct psychological approach he called a “drawing ritual.”
Mythological Period (2007–2008)
Despite illness, in his final years he created several canvases inspired by Greek, Christian, and Slavic mythology, interweaving biblical symbols, archetypal figures, and his personal interpretation of light. These works are infused with intense color and expressive drawing that brings to life mythological, dreamlike, and hybrid creatures.
Books
Janez Pristavec: Meetings (Srečanja) [foreword Mario Berdič], Maribor, Mariborska literarna družba, 2006; ISBN 961-6483-54-4
