Charles Billich

Artist provocateur, philanthropist, Dr of Philosophy, and Professor at the University of Fine Arts in China, Charles Billich was born in Lovran.

Billich studied ballet with the opera corp de ballet in Rijeka, art at the Volkshochschule in Salzburg, as well as the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, the National Gallery School of Victoria, and University of the Philippines. His art and sheer breadth of themes and inspirations make him a visionary modern, even prophetic, surrealist.

Billich finds inspiration in every facet of life. However, much of his work has been shaped from his colourful experiences.

As a young boy, he experienced the scourge of World War II when he fled from his hometown under the threat of Allied attacks. As a student, he wrote scathing satirical pieces for local media news houses, setting his sights on the communist regime. For this, along with his first attempt to escape Yugoslavia, Billich was arrested and sentenced to 10 years at Maribor prison in Slovenia. He was granted amnesty two years later and fled Yugoslavia three months after that.

After seeking asylum in Austria, he set sail for Australia and eventually opened his first gallery in Sydney in 1985.

Throughout the years, Billich’s work has attracted a broad range of high profile collectors, political leaders, celebrities and personalities. His work also hangs in institutions such as the White House, the Vatican and the United Nations and has been featured as part of the Olympic bid for both Australia and China.

For his contribution to the world of art, Billich has acquired a myriad of honours, including the keys to Atlantic City during the Centennial Games in 1996, the Victorian Heritage & Cultural Award in 2008, The ‘Lorenzo il Magnifico’ International Award (Florence Biennale) in 2009.

He resides and works in Sydney and travels extensively worldwide.