【BOOK INTRODUCTION】
Some artists stand beneath the spotlight of history, while others quietly shape an entire era. Slavko Kopač belongs to the latter. Although his name may be less widely known than those of Jean Dubuffet, André Breton, and other major figures of postwar art, he remained closely involved with some of the twentieth century’s most influential artistic movements. Through his distinctive visual language, he connected Surrealism, Art Informel, and Art Brut, establishing himself as a key yet often overlooked figure in the history of postwar European art.
《Slavko Kopač: Hidden Treasure》 was published to accompany the exhibition of the same name, held at the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno in Florence, Italy, in 2025. Through new research, valuable archival materials, and an extensive selection of reproductions, the book reassesses Kopač’s artistic development and his important position within postwar art. The volume opens with an introduction by Bernard Blistène, Honorary Director of the Centre Pompidou, and brings together contributions from leading international art historians, presenting Kopač’s multifaceted artistic practice from a range of perspectives.
Kopač was not only an artist who worked across multiple media, but also an important facilitator of postwar artistic exchange. He served as the first curator of the Collection de l’Art Brut, founded by Jean Dubuffet, and played a significant role in shaping and promoting this highly influential collection. He also maintained close ties with André Breton, while his works—filled with mythological, totemic, and fantastical imagery—were greatly admired by the Surrealists. At the same time, French art critic Michel Tapié included him in the landmark publication 《Un Art Autre》, recognising the originality and artistic significance of his contribution to Art Informel.
The book presents a comprehensive selection of Kopač’s paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, collages, and artist’s books, revealing his free and experimental approach to materials, textures, and forms. By intertwining reality and fantasy, he created a vibrant and highly individual visual world that resists simple classification. The volume also features previously unpublished works, historical photographs, and valuable archival documents, offering readers deeper insight into his creative thinking, personal networks, and the development of his distinctive style across different artistic movements.
As one of the most comprehensive publications devoted to Slavko Kopač, this book is not only an important artist monograph but also a valuable resource for reconsidering the history of postwar European art. It brings renewed attention to an artist who remained underrecognised for many years, despite his profound influence on the artistic developments of his time, and rediscovers a truly hidden treasure within modern art history.
【DETAILS】
Authors: Roberta Trapani (Editor), Bernard Blistène (Contributor), Michele Amedei (Contributor)
Publisher: 5 Continents Editions
Dimensions: 28 × 2ˋ cm
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 192
