Charles Billich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Billich
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Billich, photographed in his studio (2008)
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| Born | 6 September 1934 Lovran, Croatia
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| Known for | Painting, sculpting |
Charles Billich (born Karlo Bilić) is a famous artist who lives in Sydney, Australia. He is well-known for his amazing paintings and sculptures. His art often shows many different subjects, like Ballet, sport, architecture, and even portraits of people. He also creates art about helping others (called humanitarian pieces) and art with religious meaning. In 2000, he received a special award called the Sport Artist of the Year Award from the American Sport Art Museum and Archives.
Charles Billich also created a series of pictures based on the ancient Terracotta Warriors from China. These pictures were so popular that they were used on a collection of 16 postage stamps that are still used in China today!
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About Charles Billich
Charles Billich's artworks have been displayed in some very important places around the world. These include the White House in the USA, the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and even the Vatican.
Billich is a versatile artist, meaning he works with many different materials. He paints and draws using various art supplies, and he also creates sculptures from valuable metals.
Art for Important Causes
One of his special artworks is called Humanity United. He created this piece after the Australian Red Cross asked him to. It was made to celebrate 100 years of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. This prize is given to people who work for peace in the world.
He also painted a picture to celebrate the independence of East Timor. Dr. José Ramos-Horta, who was a leader there at the time, personally asked him to create this important painting.
In June 2004, Billich showed his art at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He was invited back to display his Humanity United collection again in September 2006.
Art for the Olympic Games
Charles Billich was very inspired by his painting "The Beijing Cityscape." This painting was the official image used when Beijing successfully bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games.
After this, he created a series of pictures featuring the Terracotta Warriors. In these artworks, the ancient warriors are shown taking part in different sports!
In June 2004, Billich finished a painting called Jubilation China's 100 Year Olympic Dream Realised. This artwork shows the big celebration that happened when China was announced as the host nation for the 2008 Olympics.
He also painted a cityscape of Qingdao, which was the city where the 2008 Olympic water sports events were held. This painting was given to the Mayor of Qingdao and the Beijing Olympic Committee in July 2005.
Billich also created The World In Union, which was the official image for the Rugby World Cup in 2003.
Special Honors and Awards
Charles Billich has received many honors for his contributions to art and sport. He was made an "Honorary Citizen of Atlanta" and given the Key to the city during the Centennial Games in 1996.
He also received the title Sports Artist of the Year in 2000. The United States Sports Academy and American Sport Art Museum gave him an Honorary Doctorate and the "Order of the Eagle Exemplar." Since 2004, he has also been a Trustee for this important sports education center.
For his help with the French Olympic Team during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Billich was given the Olympic Gold Order by the French Ministry of Sport.
Eco Art Parade 2009
The "Eco Art Parade 2009" was a special art exhibition focused on the environment. It was held to help the Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco. The theme of the exhibition was the Bonelli's Eagle, which is an endangered bird species found in the Mediterranean region. The Foundation works to protect these eagles.
To honor the Bonelli's Eagle, Charles Billich created a bronze sculpture called "The Order of the Golden Eagle." This sculpture was displayed in Monaco from June 8 to October 8, 2009.
Awards and Recognitions
Charles Billich has received many awards and honors throughout his career:
- Commander of the Order of the Crown of Tonga (July 31, 2008)
- 77th Honorary Shaolin Monk, Henan, China (2004)
- Milan & Spoleto Awards, Italy (1989)
- Victorian Heritage & Cultural Award (1988)
- Centennial Olympic City, USA (1996)
- Honorary Citizen of Atlanta (1996)
- Order of the Eagle Exemplar, USA (2000)
- Doctor Philosophy Honoris Causa-United States Sports Academy
- Prints award/Gold Medal (1987/88)
- Spoleto Award, Italy (1987)
