Angel
New Member
An acrylic painting from Norbert Szilagyi’s “Folk on the Border” exhibition, which will be running through April at SALT Gallery. COURTESY PHOTO
After a long hiatus from the art world, beloved Key West folk artist Norbert Szilagyi makes his triumphant return to the gallery scene this month.
Through April, SALT Gallery (830 Fleming St.) showcases “Folk on the Border,” a new collection of Szilagyi’s vivid acrylic paintings. An opening reception will take place at the gallery from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 4.
As a child, Szilagyi immigrated to the U.S. with his family after escaping their native Hungary during a revolution attempt. He grew up in Ohio, served in the U.S. Navy and subsequently returned to Ohio to attend Kent State University.
He found his way to Key West in 1987 and settled here to start creating art, where he became a disruptive force in the art scene in more ways than one.
Driven by the lack of art in public places in Key West, Szilagyi took it upon himself to paint a city bus bench in his typical colorful style. To thank him for his service, the city issued him a police citation for vandalism, which was promptly rescinded and followed up with a request to paint more benches.
He left Key West to pursue his interest in Buddhism in the early ’90s, moving to Taiwan and traveling extensively throughout Asia, visiting monasteries in Bali, Thailand and Taiwan and studying Mandarin and Tai Chi Chuan.
While away, he continued to paint and sent paintings back to Key West galleries to sell. After two years in Asia, he returned to the U.S. and became ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk at a retreat in Delhi, N.Y. He then moved back to Key West and kept painting but, as he tells it, “I felt I was getting a little burned out, so I retired completely from art.”
Szilagyi’s work is best described as Tropical Primitive — a neo-tribal look with ragged black outlines and bold, highly decorative borders. His use of bright colors and whimsical motifs results in pieces that are vibrant and eye-catching.
“The overarching theme for this show is ‘fun and whimsy,’” the artist says. “One thing I have done with my current paintings that I haven’t done in the past is limit the amount of colors I use. All of my current paintings have the same color in them, which gives the entire set a common element of unity.”
Two more works from Szilagyi’s “Folk on the Border” exhibition — “Monkey in Paradise” and “Frida.” COURTESY PHOTOS
Traces of Szilagyi’s travels throughout Asia are evident in many of his pieces.
“Chinese folk art is hugely influential to me,” he says. “I became familiar with it when I was living in Taiwan. Many of my birds, animals and border designs are influenced by it.”
His work also evinces an admiration for primitive and tribal art, French Expressionist Georges Rouault and French Impressionist Henri Rousseau.
“We are absolutely honored that Norbert approached SALT to show his first works in years,” says gallery owner Laura Richardson. “His paintings are colorful and alive, familiar yet innovative, and so evocative. We’re excited to welcome Norbert back to the Key West art scene.”
SALT Gallery features an eclectic collection of local art, local sea salts, jewelry, pottery, wine and Florida Keys honey.
Ms. Richardson and co-owner Maria Sharpe feature a new artist each month at SALT.
Szilagyi’s work remains on display until April 30.
For more information, call 305-517- 6088 or visit www.saltislandprovisions.com. ¦
Thank You
https://keywest.floridaweekly.com/articles/norbert-szilagyi-returns-to-art-scene-at-salt/