Magyar Naiv Művészeki Galéria, Kecskemét, Hungary
By CHRISTIANE BIRKETT
July 12, 2009
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Marinka Dallos (Hungarian) Blue Painting, 1984 Photograph by Christiane Birkitt
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Erzgebet Maczone (Hungarian) Going Home (20th Century) Photograph by Christiane Birkitt
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| Terez Borosrie (Hungarian, 20th Century) Dream from Childhood (1983) Photograph by Christiane Birkitt |
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Anonymous (Hungarian, 20th Century) Votive Sculpture Photograph by Christiane Birkitt
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Outstanding examples of central European folk art are exhibited in the Hungarian Museum of Naïve Art at Gáspár András u II in Kecskemét. Three galleries are filled with paintings, carvings and pottery.
Hungary's Gifted Naïve Artists
The visitor can explore Hungary’s culture and social life through the works of its talented artists at the museum. Naïve art in Hungary wasn't recognized as a separate genre until 1910. It's since been defined through works created by people with no formal academic training. The Magyar Naiv Művészeki Galéria possesses a large collection of paintings, woodcarvings, sculptures and textiles. Marinka Dallos, Erzsébet Szalka Maczóné, Teréz Borosné, János Gombás, László Tyukodi and János Tordai are among the artists represented in its collection.
Hungarian artists' mastery of perspective and depiction of the human form appear rudimentary to some, although the visual simplicity of works on display is deceptive. There's a wealth of intricate and whimsical detail in their figures and scenery. Each flower, blade of grass, tree leaf and clothing decoration is clearly executed. Some of the museum's carvings are caricature-like in nature.
Country Life and Living
As Hungarian naïve artists were mostly country people, their artworks depict aspects of ordinary life. Carvings often illustrate shepherds, butchers and groups of pensioners in front of their homes. Aspects of nature are featured in paintings of domestic interiors, farmyards and village squares. Routine events such as harvests, festivals, marketing, hunting, fishing and especially weddings are popular themes.
Use of Unusual Materials in Paintings
Adding to the paintings' marvelous texture is the use, by some artists, of textiles and seeds to enhance details of their works. Teréz Borosné included a fabric net dress to her paintings Gyermekkori álom and Vasárnapi Pihenő. Her tiny stuffed embroidered pillows and quilts are piled onto a bed; fine curtains hang at windows. Erzsébet Maczóné took the mixed media approach one step further by using colored wheat seeds in her compositions.
Hungarian Naïve Sculptors
János Tordai, who trained as a shoemaker, was taught carving by his grandfather, a shepherd. Amongst his works are memorials, wooden gravestones and objects for children’s playgrounds. László Tyukodi, who worked in many occupations, began to carve in 1971. One of his sculptures stands in Hajdúszoboszló. Another artist, János Gombás, carved musical instruments. His Tökmagköpesztés (Pressing Pumpkin Seeds) includes real gourd seeds.
Guide
A Képzőművészet vadvirágai – The Wildflowers of Fine Art: 100 Hungarian Artists of Popular and Naïve Approach by Bánszky Pál (1997), a comprehensive guide to the collection, can be purchased in the museum's gift shop.
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