Jozef Bajus: Artist, Educator, and Mentor

In the spring of 2002, Jozef Bajus applied for a position at SUNY Buffalo State with the objective of rebuilding the fibers program and in the fall of 2002, he found himself doing just that.  Since then, Jozef has developed a profound love for the city of Buffalo as well as a love for teaching at the collegiate level. 

Since his time here in Buffalo as a professor and an artist, Jozef has come to know and love the arts community in the Queen City.  Jozef is fond and enjoys the four seasons and yes even the snow, but most of all he loves the opportunities to work with local galleries while building his relationship with the community.  “[The] Buffalo art scene is vibrant and I’m glad I’m part of it,” Jozef commented.

Currently Jozef has an exhibition at the Burchfield Penny Art Center and has reflected on his journey of his current installation.  “It was [an] interesting process to collect material and turn it into something meaningful.” Jozef’s exhibit, Nothing Is Going Away, illustrates the beauty in what otherwise would be waste. Utilizing materials considered “byproducts”, Jozef’s art challenges viewers to consider the impact of our consumer lifestyles through his artworks. He captures this through his thoughtful re-thinking of the materials while emphasizing the medias original use, its past purpose. With the exhibition extension until March 2017, Jozef considers the exhibit one of his greatest accomplishments and is pleased the exhibition has had such a great response from the community. 

Jozef is working on another lofty project for the spring curating both his personal artwork and work from his Buffalo State fibers students.  The exhibition will be installed abroad in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The exhibition takes place in the artist’s home country and will uniquely showcase his achievements as an artist and professor.  He is happy that he is going “home” and proud of his current and past students exclaiming: “It’s time to celebrate!” 

Teaching has brought a great deal of joy to Jozef, especially his time here at Buffalo State.  Watching his students become successful artists and designers is particularly rewarding for him.  The positive response that he has received over the years from past and current students has strengthened his love for his role in academics. Jozef believes that his role in education is a two-way street.  He says that teaching is a constant act of “brainstorming” to support his students and help them find their own voice.  When asked to compare students at Buffalo State to those abroad in an international setting, Jozef has this advice:  “Fiber students in the program have the chance to be on the top – they need to work harder and all will come together” “100% is the goal” He emphasizes that many times, he can see talent, but without hard work, the talent will go away.  Throughout his teaching he brings the original intension back to striving to bring his students to the international level.  Jozef hopes that he serves his students as a conduit for gaining experience in the field, to help “open windows” for his aspiring artists, challenges them to think differently, and pushes them to be “the game changer” in the industry. 

Reflecting on his experience as both an educator and an artist, Jozef shares his insight in making it all happen.  He contributes his success to the many hours of hard work and his love for what he does.  “I’m so lucky to have a job which relates to my art,” he states. He goes on to mention that “there are challenges” but he is “not afraid to start something new” referencing the hardship in his life.  “Losing my wife was one of the hardest moments in my life, but on the other hand, it gave me a chance to rethink and recover, to bounce back and never give up.” Jozef emphasizes his message that he is here for a purpose and looks to the future where more is yet to come. 

—John Latona

John Latona is a graduate student at SUNY Buffalo State enrolled in the Multidisciplinary Studies Program where his concentration is in Textile Design and Art Education. Latona has exhibited his textile work both locally at the Burchfield Penney Art Center and internationally in Slovakia and Prague. He holds an undergraduate degree in Art Education and is currently working as a Graphic Design and Photography Instructor at Charter High School for Applied Technology.