György Kemény retrospective: The father of Hungarian pop art forever young at 90

Published on

16/07/2026 - 15:05 GMT+2

A retrospective exhibition of one of the most distinctive and versatile figures in contemporary Hungarian visual art is on show at the New Gallery of Budapest City Hall.

For decades, György Kemény’s posters have defined the streetscape of Budapest. A key feature of his work is that he did not regard the poster as applied graphics, but rather as an autonomous work of art.

A decisive turning point in his career was his trip to Paris in 1963, where he encountered American pop art and Max Ernst’s collages. The pop-art pieces that emerged from this experience are among the iconic works in the history of Hungarian art.

The exhibition presents reproductions of paintings, posters, drawings, digital works and sculptures, offering valuable insight into an oeuvre spanning more than seven decades.

It recreates at life size the secco mural in the maid’s room of Ferenc Kőszeg’s flat, one of the emblematic works of Hungarian pop art.

The show places strong emphasis on György Kemény’s shifts in style. His career is marked by constant renewal: the colourful pop-art period was followed by black-and-white surrealist drawings and then expressive felt-tip and chalk works. From the 2000s, digital technology became his primary creative tool.

The artist’s personal recollections are also available to read. György Kemény speaks not only as a creator, but as someone deeply attached to Budapest and passionately in love with the beauty of life.

"Art on familiar terms: directness, openness, informality, humour and playfulness characterise Kemény’s artistic attitude," art historian Dávid Fehér said in his tribute.

György Kemény designed the visual identity of the Budapest Festival Orchestra and of the Budapest Art Expos held in the 1990s. His works are now held, among others, in the collections of the Hungarian National Gallery, the Ludwig Museum and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.

The Munkácsy Prize-winning artist has also earned international recognition: in Warsaw he received first prize, while in Japan he was awarded a bronze medal.

The retrospective exhibition is open until 31 August at the New Gallery of City Hall.