In our exhibition ANZIX we present István Szajkó's works made with a variety of techniques, from the academic years to the most recent works.
István Szajkó was born in Csonoplya in 1955. The love of art was always present in his family; initially, he was interested in a musical career and learned to play both the accordion and the violin. Ultimately, he pursued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb in the 1970s, where he primarily studied figurative painting under the guidance of Nikola Reiser. Between 1978 and 1980, he went on study trips to Venice, Paris, Madrid, Munich, Kassel, and Budapest. Upon returning to Subotica, he had to enlist in the army, where he received marine training. During his military service, he was provided with a spacious studio on the island of Brioni, where he created watercolours and three-dimensional paintings. Later, these works were exhibited.
After leaving Subotica, he moved to Budapest and later to Lókút, where he has been living and creating for over 30 years in a beautifully restored farmhouse with a dedicated studio space.
Pastel chalk plays a significant role in his work, serving as a key medium for his landscapes and still-life compositions. For Szajkó, pastel is the most elemental painting technique. He continues to use it, particularly for smaller-sized pieces, while opting for oil or acrylic paint for larger works. His paintings often combine calmness, strength, and tension. Ottó Tolnai once referred to him as the "painter of chlorophyll," as green is an important and recurring element in his art. This green embodies not only the proximity of nature but also the landscape, the horizon of Bačka, and the majestic willow tree in his Lókút garden, a significant motif in his paintings. His greens are always composed of multiple hues. In addition to nature, bicycles frequently appear in his works, linked to his childhood memories; his grandfather often cycled to the vineyard, a scene Szajkó later depicted in his art.
Our exhibition titled ANZIX presents a diverse selection of István Szajkó's works, showcasing pieces from his academic years to his most recent works. Visitors can explore pieces created with pastels, oil, and watercolour, as well as works featuring sand, concrete, and various materials applied to canvas. The exhibition also includes works that have never before been displayed in Hungary.
With our collection of over 40 works, we celebrate the artist on the occasion of his 70th birthday.
Curated by: Szonja Dohnál, Deputy Director and Art Historian.
