István Csáki is a professional artist working in Hungary who has had exhibitions all over Europe. Funzine managed to get an exclusive chat with him to discuss his influences, funny moments and his hopes for the future…
What sort of things do you like to paint? And what sort of techniques and equipment do you use?
I always like to work on my actual drawings and graphics. My last exhibition was held in the Jean Monnet Building of the European Commission in Luxembourg. The graphics of the exhibition “White Out” were made with charcoal, on huge 150 by 100 centimeter paper sheets. Almost all of my graphics were sold, so I think people like the technique!
Can you tell us a bit about “White Out”?
The exhibition is the result of cooperating with my friend Lóránd Ármos, who is both a poet and a lawyer. The unique nature of the exhibition stems from the fact that Lóránd wrote a poem to accompany the drawings. The verses of the poem were exhibited next to the charcoal drawings in a site specific way. The spectators walking among the drawings and the verses could get lost in the phenomenon of what mountaineers call “white out”: when both earth and heaven blend into a single shade of white, almost to the point of blinding the beholder.
When can we see your next exhibition?
Right now I am looking for the perfect gallery to exhibit “White Out” in Hungary again. Since these are huge graphics, they require a lot of space and light. During my visit to Luxembourg in January, I met with the event managers of a place called Anciene Cinema. This is a place worth seeing; jazz concerts, exhibitions, and drinks from all around Europe in one place. It seems that I will have an exhibition of my advertisement graphics there in October 2009.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
Probably when I won the drawing competition at nursery school!
What inspires you?
Mountains, mountains, and mountains. I like climbing mountains; last summer I made a trip to Caucasus with my friends. I am always impressed by huge peaks. This is reflected in many of my works.
What are your hopes for the future?
To be efficient and to stay efficient, both personally and professionally.
What advice would you give to young people who would like to become artists?
To think freely, and to practice a lot. My graphics teacher told me 15 years ago that if I wanted to enter the University of Art, I should copy all the drawings of the world famous graphic artist Jenő Barcsay first. It took me more than half a year to copy them all, but I am happy that I did it, because I learned a lot – both about graphic techniques and about human anatomy as well.
Has anything funny ever happened to you while at an exhibition or while painting?
During my last visit to Luxembourg, the airport workers did not want to check in the long box containing my graphics, because I told them it was artwork. Half an hour later, when I checked in at another desk, I had to tell them that the box contained my skis. They had to believe this because it was wintertime!
Did you always want to be an artist? Were there any other jobs which interested you?
When one famous Transylvanian poet was asked, “what is poetry?” he said: “Poetry is what one must tell.” That is valid for fine art as well: my graphics, paintings, everything I do is the thing I feel I must do.
For more information about István’s work, please go to: www.aplusd.hu and www.whiteout.hu
