Martin Jonaš (1924–1996) was a Serbian naïve artist of Slovak ethnicity.
Martin Jonaš was born on May 9, 1924 in Kovačica, where he spent his entire life, both as a farmer and artist.[1] He started painting in 1945 and participated in over 450 individual and group exhibitions.[2][3]
His solo exhibitions were held in various places in former Yugoslavia, as well as Switzerland, Israel, France, Finland, Norway, USA, and elsewhere.[4] Alongside Salvador Dalí, he won a gold medal at the international drawing exhibition in Italy in 1978.[5] His paintings were characterized by a visually unique way of depicting human figures, with oversized hands and feet, giving special recognition to physical work.[6]
Wedding in Kovačica by Martin Jonaš
Jonaš died in Pančevo, on January 31, 1996. The National Museum of Pančevo marked the 25th anniversary of his death with a special exhibit in 2021.[7]
In 2024, the Republic of Serbia issued a commemorative postage stamp edition, honoring the centennial of Jonaš's birth.[8] The edition features Jonaš's paintings Dom na dlanu (Home in the Palm of Your Hand) and Muškarac i žena na klupi (Man and Woman on a Bench), as well as works from other notable Kovačica naive artists including Pavel Hajko, Jan Glozik, and Zuzana Vereski.[6]
Martin Jonaš's memorial house opened in Kovačica in 2014, on the 90th anniversary of his birth.[5][1] Jonaš's house is a unique documentary about his life, covered with photographs, diplomas, and medals. The collection also includes paintings and historical materials related to the culture of Slovaks in Vojvodina.[2]
