1942 - Painter
Biography
Early Education and Career
He began his elementary school studies between 1948-1949 at the Marczibányi Square French language section, where his mother also taught. In 1949, after the school closed, he continued his education at the Bartók Béla Street Elementary School in the 11th district of Budapest, where he studied until 1951. He completed his final years of elementary school at the Irányi Street Practice School in Budapest, from 1951 to 1956. He attended the József Attila Gymnasium in Budapest from 1956 to 1960, studying Russian and German. Between 1960 and 1962, he attended the "Dési Huber" evening drawing class. From 1962 to 1967, he studied at the College of Applied Arts, specializing in interior design, where he graduated. In 1979, he passed the English language exam.
Work Experience
In 1959, during school holidays, he worked briefly as an assistant at the MTI photo department. In 1960, he worked as an assistant at the Experimental Printing Factory in Budapest. Later, he became a bookseller apprentice at the State Book Distribution Company, where he was transferred to the decoration department in 1962. After passing his bookseller exam, he worked there until the end of June 1962, before being accepted to college. Between 1967 and 1968, he worked as an interior designer in József Finta's studio. In 1968, he transferred to the Budapest XI. district's Maintenance and Service Company, working as an interior design planner for one year due to the possibility of working a six-hour shift. He completed several design projects, including a confectionery shop (Budapest VI. Lenin Avenue), a second-hand bookshop (Budapest V. Ferenciek Square), and a record shop (Budapest VI. Andrássy Avenue, next to the Writers' Bookstore).
Freelance Artist
Since October 1969, he has worked as a freelance painter. In the early years, he supported himself through scholarships and graphic design work, working for graphic artist Róbert Muray. In 1972, he wrote a series on home decor for Nők Lapja and illustrated articles for Tanító magazine. He also created educational illustrations for the Textbook Publishing Company. From 1974, he was a member of the Hungarian Fine Arts Association. Between 1975 and 1977, he photographed 12,000 peasant rooms for the People's Education Institute, led by Kata S. Nagy. From 1975, he taught for four years at the Szőnyi István Summer Art School in Zebegény. From 1977, he focused entirely on painting. Between 1978 and 2008, he did not allow his works to be owned privately abroad. Between 1991 and 1992, he led a course at the College of Fine Arts. In 1992, ten of his painting analysis articles were published in Mozgó Világ magazine. Between 1994 and 1995, he was an adjunct professor at the College of Applied Arts.
Artistic Development
In the early years of his career, his work was influenced by Klee, Rothko, and Endre Bálint. His early lyrical works often depicted interior and landscape experiences in visual reduction (1969-1984: abstract phase). Between 1974 and 1983, his 2,400 cemetery photos became the exclusive subject matter for several years. These images did not document a specific location or scene but dealt with the atmosphere of the theme, particularly focusing on issues of silence, death, and loneliness (1984-87: old Jewish cemeteries). In 1987, starting again with his own photographs, he chose a new theme: representations of his studio gradually became more abstract, focusing on the essential elements. This series, depicting the private sphere, could even be seen as a form of personal confession: the ascetic, bare spaces occasionally resemble a monastery or a prison cell.
2025
71st Vásárhely Autumn Exhibition Group Exhibition Tornyai János Museum, Hódmezővásárhely, Hungary
Non-fungible Objects / 3rd National Salon of Fine Arts Group Exhibition Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Hungary
43rd Summer Exhibition Group Exhibition REÖK Palace, Szeged, Hungary
2024
70th Vásárhely Autumn Exhibition Group Exhibition Tornyai János Museum, Hódmezővásárhely, Hungary
Perspective (Távlat) Group Exhibition REÖK Palace, Szeged, Hungary
Wild Boys (Fenegyerekek) Group Exhibition Tér-Kép Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Degenerate Art II (Elfajzott művészet II) Group Exhibition Godot Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Dezső Váli: In the Horn Collection Solo Exhibition Rómer Flóris Museum of Art and History, Győr, Hungary
2023
Dezső Váli: Pictures on Fiberboard in Pine Frames Solo Exhibition Godot Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
Peace-making Solitude Group Exhibition Old Art Colony of Szentendre, Szentendre, Hungary
2022
Dezső Váli: Selection from the Horn Collection Solo Exhibition Kálmán Makláry Fine Arts, Budapest, Hungary
19th Panel Painting Biennial Group Exhibition REÖK Palace, Szeged, Hungary
2021
Horizon Group Exhibition REÖK Palace, Szeged, Hungary
41st Summer Exhibition Group Exhibition REÖK Palace, Szeged, Hungary
2019
Synthesis Group Exhibition Vízivárosi Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
2015
Here and Now Group Exhibition Műcsarnok / Kunsthalle, Budapest, Hungary
2014
Image Practices (Képpraxisok) Group Exhibition Műcsarnok / Kunsthalle, Budapest, Hungary
2011
1st International Drawing and Graphic Art Biennial Biennial International Drawing and Graphic Art Biennial, Győr, Hungary
Cities on the River Group Exhibition Umelka Gallery, Bratislava, Slovakia
2010
Cities on the River: Identity in Central Europe Group Exhibition City Art Museum, Győr, Hungary
2009
Tolerance in Art Group Exhibition Danubiana – Meulensteen Art Museum, Bratislava (Čunovo), Slovakia
2008
F Diary Solo Exhibition Godot Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
2002
Collected Works of Dezső Váli Solo Exhibition Ernst Museum, Budapest, Hungary
2001
Time Bridge (Időhíd - Zeitbrücke) Group Exhibition Museum Moderner Kunst – Stiftung Wörlen, Passau, Germany
2000
Millennial Exhibition Series at the Műcsarnok Group Exhibition Műcsarnok / Kunsthalle, Budapest, Hungary
1999
"Oil / Canvas" Hungarian exhibition Exhibition Abroad Skopje, North Macedonia
"Oil / Canvas" Hungarian exhibition Exhibition Abroad Novi Sad, Serbia
Solo Exhibition Castle, Bárdudvarnok, Hungary
EVE ART Gallery (opened by: Miklós Szüts) Budapest, Hungary
Kölcsey Municipal Cultural Center (opened by: Mária Vajda, museologist) Debrecen, Hungary
1998
Hungarian Academy (opened by: László Csorba, institute director) Solo Exhibition Rome, Italy
MOL Gallery (opened by: György Somogyi, art collector) Szolnok, Hungary
Tihany Abbey, Separate Room Tihany, Hungary
"Oil / Canvas" Hungarian exhibition Exhibition Abroad Chişinău, Moldova / Ljubljana, Slovenia / Bucharest, Romania
Hungarian Cultural Center Exhibition Abroad Stuttgart, Germany
Hungarian Academy, Solo Exhibition Exhibition Abroad Rome, Italy
1997
Műcsarnok / Kunsthalle, Joint Exhibition Solo Exhibition Budapest, Hungary
Ernst Museum (opened by: Miklós Szüts) Budapest, Hungary
1996
Csallóköz Museum (with Bela Kolcakova and Ignác Kolcak, opened by: Gyula Mag, museum director) Solo Exhibition Dunajská Streda (Dunaszerdahely), Slovakia
Csallóköz Museum, Solo Exhibition Exhibition Abroad Dunajská Streda (Dunaszerdahely), Slovakia
1995
European Central Gallery, Danube Museum (opened by: Róbert Bognár) Esztergom, Hungary
EVE ART Gallery (opened by: Máté Hidvégi) Solo Exhibition Budapest, Hungary
1994
Csallóköz Museum (+ traveling exhibition in Slovakia) Exhibition Abroad Dunajská Streda (Dunaszerdahely), Slovakia
Municipal Museum of Art (permanent chamber exhibition, opened by: Julianna N. Mészáros, museum director) Solo Exhibition Győr, Hungary
Vízivárosi Gallery (with László Sáros, opened by: Miklós Szüts) Budapest, Hungary
1993
Museum of Photography (with László Sáros, opened by: Dezső Váli) Solo Exhibition Kecskemét, Hungary
Csongrád Gallery (opened by: Miklós Szüts) Csongrád, Hungary
1992
Balassi Bookstore (C. Diary book premiere, opened by: Péter Esterházy) Budapest, Hungary
Gallery to the Black Christ (opened by: Miklós Szüts) Solo Exhibition Pannonhalma, Hungary
1990
Ernst Museum (opened by: Miklós Szüts) Solo Exhibition Budapest, Hungary
Gallery to the Black Christ (opened by: Miksa Bánhegyi OSB) Pannonhalma, Hungary
Kulturcentrum Marsuinsholm I. (40 Hungarian painters) Exhibition Abroad Ystad, Sweden
1989
Group Exhibition Exhibition Abroad Lučenec (Losonc) & Dolný Kubín, Slovakia
Cifrapalota (opened by: Miklós Szüts) Solo Exhibition Kecskemét, Hungary
1987–1988
Gifting away of his paintings Solo Exhibition Hungary
1987
Ernst Museum, Separate Room (opened by: György Spiró) Solo Exhibition Budapest, Hungary
Lamberg Castle (opened by: Gábor Pogány) Mór, Hungary
Christie's company exhibition + auction Exhibition Abroad Amsterdam, Netherlands
1986
"1st International Exhibition" Exhibition Abroad Nouméa, New Caledonia
1985
Rajk László College, University of Economics (opened by: Kata S. Nagy) Budapest, Hungary
József Attila Cultural Center (opened by: Ildikó Gerencsér, director) Budapest, Hungary
Csontváry Room (opened by: Kata Dávid) Budapest, Hungary
Horváth Endre Gallery (opened by: Kata S. Nagy) Solo Exhibition Balassagyarmat, Hungary
"The Bible in Contemporary Art" – Bible Museum Exhibition Abroad Amsterdam, Netherlands
1984
Hungarian exhibition on the occasion of János Kádár's visit (org. by Pierre Chardin) Exhibition Abroad Paris, France
Selection from the Salgótarján Spring Exhibition Exhibition Abroad Banská Bystrica (Besztercebánya), Slovakia
Hungarian Institute Exhibition Abroad Vienna, Austria
1983
Hungarian exhibition organized by the Ministry of Culture Exhibition Abroad Munich-Gauting, Germany
Hungarian Institute Exhibition Abroad Rome, Italy
1982
Exhibition of Four Hungarian Painters Exhibition Abroad / Solo Exhibition Bucharest, Romania
1981
Műcsarnok / Kunsthalle, Retrospective (opened by: Dezső Váli) Solo Exhibition Budapest, Hungary
Hungarian Institute Exhibition Abroad Paris, France
1980
Hungarian Institute Exhibition Abroad Berlin, Germany
Studio of Young Artists exhibition Exhibition Abroad Wilhelmshaven, West Germany
Kisduna Gallery (opened by: Miklós Szüts) Solo Exhibition Budapest, Hungary
1979
House of Hungarian Culture Exhibition Abroad Berlin, GDR
Jahrhundertshalle Hoechst, Hungarian Exhibition Exhibition Abroad Frankfurt, Germany
"Anti-war Exhibition" – Majdanek Museum Exhibition Abroad Lublin, Poland
Kemal Atatürk Cultural Center, Studio of Young Artists exhibition Exhibition Abroad Istanbul, Turkey
1978
Salon des Indépendants, Grand Palais (Studio of Young Artists exhibition) Exhibition Abroad Paris, France
Art in Art Solo Exhibition Siófok, Hungary
Hungarian National Gallery, Studio of Young Artists Jubilee Exhibition Budapest, Hungary
Cultural Center (opened by: Júlia Szabó) Derecske, Hungary
Nagy Balogh Room Budapest, Hungary
1977
"Completed works" after two years – Buna Werke Exhibition Abroad Halle-Schkopau, GDR
1976
Cultural Center Solo Exhibition Vásárosnamény, Hungary
Cultural Center Nagykálló, Hungary
Báthory István Museum (opened by: István Dévényi) Nyírbátor, Hungary
1975
International Artist Colony closing exhibition (invited by Buna Werke) Exhibition Abroad Halle-Schkopau, GDR
Studio Gallery (opened by: Kata Dávid) Solo Exhibition Budapest, Hungary
Kassák Cultural Center (opened by: Dezső Váli) Budapest, Hungary
Young Artists' Club Budapest, Hungary
László Gallery, László High School Budapest, Hungary
1974
Fényes Adolf Room (opened by: Lajos Németh) Solo Exhibition Budapest, Hungary
1973
College of Applied Arts Solo Exhibition Budapest, Hungary
1970
Eötvös Club Solo Exhibition Budapest, Hungary
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
BUDAPEST
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Studio of Young Artists Association / 1 pc.
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Library of Military History / Museum of Military History / 2 pcs.
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Kiscelli Museum, Budapest / 13 pcs.
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Museum of Contemporary Art, Ludwig Museum / 1 pc.
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Hungarian National Gallery / 26 paintings, 13 graphics, 1 series
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National Széchényi Library / 1 pc.
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Petőfi Literary Museum / 2 pcs.
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T-Art Foundation / 1 pc.
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St. László Hospital - Cancer Hospital Foundation / 3-4 pcs.?
REGIONAL (HUNGARY)
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Békéscsaba, Munkácsy Mihály Museum / 1 pc.
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Esztergom, Balassi Museum / 1 pc.
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Debrecen, Déri Museum / 2 pcs.
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Győr, Rómer Flóris Art and Historical Museum / 31 pictures, 1 graphic series, 53 photos
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Győr, Patkó Collection / 1 pc.
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Győr, Xantus János Museum / 1 pc.
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Hódmezővásárhely, Tornyai Museum / 2 pcs.
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Kaposvár, Rippl-Rónai Museum / 11 pcs.
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Kecskemét Art Gallery, Cifrapalota / 8 pcs. + Beggar's Stations of the Cross
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Kecskemét, Hungarian Museum of Photography / approx. 150 pcs.
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Miskolc, Herman Ottó Museum / 4 pcs.
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Pannonhalma, Archabbey / 6 pcs.
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Pécs, Janus Pannonius Museum / 10 pcs.
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Sárospatak, Roman Catholic Ecclesiastical Art Collection / 1 pc.
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Salgótarján, Nógrád Museum / 2 paintings, 15 graphics
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Székesfehérvár, King St. Stephen Museum (County Gallery) / 5 pcs.
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Szeged, Móra Ferenc Museum / 2 pcs.
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Szentendre, Ferenczy István Museum / 2 pcs.
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Szentendre, County Museum / 1 pc.
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Szolnok, Damjanich Museum / 1 pc.
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Szombathely Art Gallery / 6 pcs.
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Várpalota, Municipal Fine Arts Collection / 1 pc.
