Zsuzsanna Udvarhelyi, aka ZSUD is a fascinating artist whose beautifully subtle yet strong paintings of women will be on display at the Ybl Palota. To give you an idea of what’s and who’s behind these amazing paintings, we caught up with the artist, who seems to have just stepped out of one of her pictures… Here’s what she had to say about women, art nouveau and her hometown, Budapest.
The theme of your paintings is almost exclusively the Woman. What does femininity mean to you?
I reckon my paintings are allegorical. They depict human emotions, both male and female emotions that is. They show simple, everyday experiences. My figures are always females, which is due to the fact that I can’t really paint males – whenever I try, the paintings seem fake, theatrical and exaggeratedly masculine or I unintentionally mix manly emotions with feminine elements. I am a woman; therefore I can express female emotions and instincts more clearly and naturally.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by everyday nuances. I’m interested in people who take the time to live life to the full. Experiencing every milestone from conception to death is essential. Each period of life is experienced on three different levels: consciousness, instincts and soul. My duty is to depict these ever-changing prisms.
You say that you like to paint emotions and stories. Are you intentionally on the lookout for these?
I don’t think the Artist’s job is to show what we can’t see but what we believe and feel to exist.
Art nouveau has clearly affected your style. Do you like experimenting with other styles?
When I’m abroad for a longer period, art nouveau elements are enhanced in my work. It’s a symptom of homesickness, as for me art nouveau means Budapest, my home. After a while, I started to intentionally look for cities with strong art nouveau characteristics. I’ve always thought that the bourgeois-decorative ornaments of Vienna and Paris are only a shadow of the decadent and highly expressive art nouveau style of Budapest. I used to experiment with loads of different styles but now it seems more like a rehearsal for the real work.
You’ve had plenty of exhibitions abroad. Is your work appreciated more here or there?
I often find it difficult to talk about my paintings, as I feel that I can only express myself visually. Words are inadequate to describe what I want to say and show. Since the language of visual arts is universal, its appreciation depends on individuals rather than countries. Perhaps a painting can’t talk to everyone, as it can’t mean the same thing to so many different people. But I still hope that my paintings lead to self-knowledge – when we are ready for it.
What’s an artist’s life like in today’s Hungary?
Being an artist is both a gift and a responsibility. Painting for me is a very deep and strong experience. If I had to compare it to something, I would say it’s like meditation or a major sports achievement. It demands that you empty your mind and concentrate.
It’s a life-long duty for which I’m utterly grateful. Obviously, you have to sacrifice a great deal for it, but the joy of creation makes up for it.
Could you describe your upcoming show at the Ybl Palace?
The title of the exhibition is ‘Ebony and Ivory’. Differently from my usual opalescent, layered technique, in these paintings I used harsh contrasts and shadows and a half-fresco relief technique. I didn’t use my usual palette, but rather expressed myself via the texture of the painting and graphic elements.
Have you/do you ever work in other mediums?
I always experiment with different techniques, for frescoes, reliefs, the oil-paint and the color of gold offer a number of possibilities. But this is more like a reformation than uncertainty. I’ve already found my way; I only have to walk it.
Interview by Aranka Szabó
For more info on Zsuzsanna and her art, check out www.udvarhelyi.com.