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.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 – Győr, Patkó Collection (opening speech by Dr. Miklós Nagy)
2023 – Budapest, Godot Gallery (opening speech by Zoltán Szabó)
2023 – Stuttgart, Liszt Institute (opening speech by Áron Hidvégi)
2022 – Budapest, Kálmán Makláry Fine Arts (opening speech by Áron Hidvégi, Zoltán Szabó)
2022 – HORN COLLECTION
2021 – Budapest, Godot Gallery (opening speech by Zoltán Szabó)
2020 – Budapest, Godot Gallery (opening speech by Zoltán Szabó)
2019 – Balatongyörök, Bertha Bulcsu Cultural House (organized by Bese Palásthy)
2018 – Szentendre, Erdész Gallery (from the Artchívum collection, with items for sale)
2018 – Budapest, Kieselbach Gallery / Presentation of A. Diary
2017 – Budapest, Godot Gallery (text by Miklós Szüts read by Ferenc Pallagi)
2016 – Budapest, Artists of the St. Lukács Bath (opened by the artist)
2016 – Tatabánya, Vértes Agora / Contemporary Gallery (opening speech by Miklós Szüts: The Padded Coat)
2015 – Szarvas, Tessedik Sámuel Museum (opening speech at the event: DESKE - film)
2015 – Sajószentpéter, Days of Bloom '15 – Pentecostal Program (opening speech by Bernadett Grászli)
2015 – Pécs, Evangelical Church Parish Hall (Lesson on Faith and the Stations of the Cross - B/03/08)
2015 – Budapest, Kieselbach Gallery (VERSTÁR volume book launch)
2014 – Budapest, Műcsarnok (opening speeches by György Szegő and György Dragomán)
2014 – Our Courtyard, Flea Market and Friendly Gathering
2014 – Budapest, Center of the Ecumenical Council of Hungarian Churches (Lesson on Faith and the Stations of the Cross - B/03/08)
2014 – March 2014, NKA Annual Grant Presentation
2013 – Kecskemét, Hungarian Photography Museum (donation of 142 photographs, 24x30 prints, in a portfolio)
2013 – Budapest, Prophet Gallery (opening speech by Miklós Szüts)
2013 – Artchivum, "Nine Sidewalks in the Morning - F/2013/194" (9 framed pieces, 52x70 cm)
2013 Balatonboglár, Evangelical Church, Sea and Studio, opened by: Ádám Galambos
2013 Budapest, Vízivárosi Gallery, opened by: Dr. Miklós Nagy
2012 Piliscsaba, PPKE Stephaneum, opened by: István Jelenits
2011 Győr, Napoleon House / City Art Museum, no opening
2010 Budapest, Belvedere Gallery: INVISIBLE VÁLI PAINTINGS FROM COLLECTIONS, opened by: Miklós Szüts
2008 Budapest, Symbol Art Gallery / also with B. DIARY introduction, opened by: T. Anna Szabó and György Dragomán
2008 Budapest, Godot Gallery. F. DIARY, opened by: Sándor Radnóti
2008 Kecskemét, Hungarian Photography Museum, "F. DIARY," opened by: Dr. Miklós Nagy
2008 Pannonhalma, Gallery to the Black Christ, opened by: Miklós Szüts
2007 Budapest, Aulich Art Gallery, opened by: Miklós Szüts
2006 Szolnok, Aba Novák Room, the Béla Collection, organized and opened by: Gabriella Uhl
2003 Székesfehérvár, Csók István Gallery, "Empty Spaces," separate room, opened by: Dr. Miklós Nagy
2003 Kecskemét, Cifra Palace, retrospective, opened by: Róbert Alföldi, president of the county assembly
2003 Győr, City Art Museum, Esterházy Palace, retrospective, opened by: Dr. Miklós Nagy, art collector
2002 Kaposvár, Rippl-Rónai Museum, retrospective, opened by: Miklós Szüts
2002 Budapest, Ernst Museum, retrospective, opened by: Miklós Szüts
2001 Szeged, Karolina School, Szeged School Sisters, opened by: János Büki, headmaster
2000 Budapest, Balassi Bookstore Gallery / + CD-ROM premiere, opened by: Péter Esterházy
1999 Bárdudvarnok Castle
1999 Budapest, EVE ART Gallery, opened by: Miklós Szüts
1999 Debrecen, Kölcsey City Cultural Center, opened by: Mária Vajda, museologist
1998 Rome, Hungarian Academy, opened by: László Csorba, institute manager
1998 Szolnok, MOL Gallery, opened by: György Somogyi, art collector
1998 Tihany, Tihany Abbey, separate room
1997 Budapest, Museum of Fine Arts, group exhibition
1997 Budapest, Ernst Museum, opened by: Miklós Szüts
1996 Dunaszerdahely, Csallóközi Museum, with Bela Kolcakova and Ignác Kolcakk, opened by: Gyula Mag, museum manager
1995 Esztergom, European Central Gallery, Danube Museum, opened by: Róbert Bognár
1995 Budapest, EVE ART Gallery, opened by: Máté Hidvégi
1994 Győr, City Art Museum / permanent small exhibition, opened by: Julianna N. Mészáros, museum manager
1994 Budapest, Vízivárosi Gallery, with László Sáros, opened by: Miklós Szüts
1993 Kecskemét, Photography Museum, with László Sáros, opened by: Dezső Váli
1993 Csongrád, Csongrád Gallery, opened by: Miklós Szüts
1992 Budapest, Balassi Bookstore / + C. Diary book premiere, opened by: Péter Esterházy
1992 Pannonhalma, Gallery to the Black Christ, opened by: Miklós Szüts
1990 Budapest, Ernst Museum, opened by: Miklós Szüts
1990 Pannonhalma, Gallery to the Black Christ, opened by: Miksa Bánhegyi OSB
1989 Kecskemét, Cifra Palace, opened by: Miklós Szüts
1987 Budapest, Ernst Museum, separate room, opened by: György Spiró
1987 Mór, Lamberg Castle, opened by: Gábor Pogány
1985 Budapest, Rajk László College, University of Economics, opened by: Kata S. Nagy
1985 Budapest, József Attila Cultural Center, opened by: Ildikó Gerencsér, director
1985 Budapest, Csontváry Room, opened by: Kata Dávid
1985 Balassagyarmat, Horváth Endre Gallery, opened by: Kata S. Nagy
1982 Bucharest, "Four Hungarian Painters Exhibition"
1981 Budapest, Museum of Fine Arts, retrospective, opened by: Dezső Váli, János Frank became ill
1980 Budapest, Kisduna Gallery, opened by: Miklós Szüts
1978 Siófok, "Art in Art"
1978 Budapest, National Gallery. Young Artists Studio Jubilee Exhibition
1978 Derecske, Cultural Center, opened by: Júlia Szabó
1978 Budapest, Nagy Balogh Room
1976 Vásárosnamény, Cultural Center
1976 Nagykálló, Cultural Center
1976 Nyírbátor, Báthory István Museum, opened by: István Dévényi
1975 Budapest, Studio Gallery, opened by: Kata Dávid
1975 Budapest, Kassák Cultural House, opened by: Dezső Váli
1975 Budapest, Young Artists Club
1975 Budapest, Young Artists Club
1975 Budapest, László Gallery, László High School
1974 Budapest, Fényes Adolf Room, opened by: Lajos Németh
1973 Budapest, Academy of Applied Arts
1970 Budapest, Eötvös Club
1970 Budapest, Eötvös Club, separate room, with Géza Németh and Vladimir Péter, opened by: Endre Bálint
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 Budapest Contemporary
INTERNATIONAL
2010 Vilnius, National Museum, curated by László Pap, coordinator
2007 Sepsiszentgyörgy, Székely National Museum
2003 Lyon, Galerie Mathieu
2003 Dunaszerdahely, Csallóközi Museum
2000 Vienna, Catholic Academy, Hungarian exhibition organized by Collegium Hungaricum
1998 Stuttgart, Hungarian Cultural Center
1999 Skopje, from the "Oil / Canvas" Hungarian Exhibition
1999 Novi Sad, from the "Oil / Canvas" Hungarian Exhibition
1998 Chişinău, from the "Oil / Canvas" Hungarian Exhibition
1998 Ljubljana, from the "Oil / Canvas" Hungarian Exhibition
1998 Bucharest, from the "Oil / Canvas" Hungarian Exhibition
1998 Rome, Hungarian Academy, solo exhibition
1996 Dunaszerdahely, Csallóközi Museum, solo exhibition
1994 Dunaszerdahely, Csallóközi Museum / + traveling exhibition in Slovakia
1990 Ystad, Sweden, Marsuinsholm I Cultural Center, 40 Hungarian Painters
1989 Losonc, Dolny-Kubin, exhibition
1987 Amsterdam, Christie's Auction House exhibition + auction
1986 New Caledonia, Noumea, "1st International Exhibition"
1985 Amsterdam, Bible Museum: "The Bible in Contemporary Art"
1984 Paris, Hungarian Exhibition, on the occasion of János Kádár's visit, organized by Pierre Chardin
1984 Banská Bystrica, from the Salgótarján Spring Exhibition
1984 Vienna, Hungarian Institute
1983 Munich-Gauting, Hungarian exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Culture
1983 Rome, Hungarian Institute
1982 Bucharest, Four Hungarian Painters Exhibition
1981 Paris, Hungarian Institute
1980 Berlin, Hungarian Institute
1980 Wilhelmshaven, FRG, Young Artists Studio Exhibition
1979 Berlin, GDR, Hungarian House of Culture
1979 Frankfurt, German Exhibition, Jahrhundertshalle Hoechst
1979 Lublin, Poland, Majdanek Museum, "Anti-War Exhibition"
1979 Istanbul, Central de la Culture Kemal Atatürk, Young Artists Studio Exhibition
1978 Paris, Salon des Indépendants, Grand Palais, Young Artists Studio Exhibition
1977 Halle-Schkopau, GDR, Buna Works, "Works Completed After Two Years"
1975 Halle-Schkopau, GDR, Buna Works, international artists' colony final exhibition
COLLECTIONS
2008 Székely National Museum Collection
2007 National Museum of St. Petersburg, Russia
2007 Hungarian National Gallery
2003 Art Museum of Šiauliai, Lithuania
2002 University of Pécs
2001 The Hungarian Heritage House Collection
2000 Miskolc City Museum
1999 Kecskemét Gallery Collection
1999 Kecskemét Photography Museum
1999 Kecskemét Gallery, Hungarian Gallery Collection
1998 Kecskemét City Museum
1996 Hungarian National Gallery
1995 Museum of Fine Arts Budapest
1990-2000 Hungarian National Museum
1985 Hungarian National Gallery
1983 Hungarian National Gallery
