Ivan Pavle is a most distinguished figure from the post-fifties generation of Slovak painters. He was born on 8 March 1955 in Galanta but grew up in Prievidza. In 1981 he graduated from the Department of Monumental Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava (under Professors D. Castiglione and I. Vychlopen).

He lives and works in Bratislava, focusing largely on his paintings and drawings, as well as sculptural creation, furniture design and, occasionally, illustrations. He has exhibited at prestigious galleries in Slovakia and abroad. His works can be found in public and private collections worldwide. He has attended several study stays, in particular, in the USA, Thailand and France, where he was awarded the Jury Prize at the International Festival of Painting at Cagnes-sur-Mer in 1989.

His work can be characterised by his continual, prolific restlessness and his distinctive individual style. His interest in making contact with the best works of the past has led him to the application of ancient techniques and recipes in his own painting processes. His numerous works demonstrate a combination of knowledge of tradition and respect for his material with topical themes.