Balázs, János Alsókubin, 1905 - 1977, Salgótarján
He was born in Alsókubin. His father and grandfather were well-known Gypsy band leaders and could therefore make good and safe living for their family. When he was five, his father died and his family moved to the Gypsy populated Pécskő Hill, where they lived their miserable lives in the shanty they built themselves. He started painting in 1971 , at the age of 66, and all he had was eight years to create. The originality of his Works, his distinctive way of looking at things is enthralling. His pictures reveal a unique world in which we can see numerous elements of our every-day life, fantastic visions, and impressions. They show us the enormous cultural heritage, the spiritual life of Gypsy people, their feelings and desire to live. All this is combined, in a very special way, with Hungarian cultural effects.