Vincent Hložník - National Artist, university professor, painter, graphic artist and illustrator. Hložník was bom on 22nd October, 1919 in Svederník (Žilina district). He studied at the School of Applied Arts in Prague in the department of decorative and monumental painting under F. Kysela and J. Novák. From 1952 to 1972 he worked at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava, where he headed the department of free graphics and book illustration. He became Professor in 1958 and was Rector of the Academy from 1960 to 1964. Hložník is the leading figure in the generation of artists that came of age during the Second World War. The prevailing ethos of his works is one of humanism and anti-fascism. Typical hallmarks include expressive overstatement, masterly calligraphy and bold imagery. Graphics and illustrations loom large in his output. For his work in these fields he has been the recipient of numerous awards both at home and abroad.