October 8, 2004
Hungarian Contemporary Artists Visit the U.S.

Six of the contemporary Hungarian artists whose work is showcased at the Residence of Ambassador András Simonyi were in the U.S. between October 3 and 10 to meet with representatives of the American art world. Painters Károly Klimó, István Nádler, László Fehér, Tamás Soós, József Bullás, and Gábor Tari visited New York and Washington, and meet with museum officials, curators, collectors and gallery owners. On October 8, the Embassy held an Open House, followed by a reception and vernissage at the Residence.

The visit was the culmination of a two-year process, during which the Ambassador and the Embassy worked hard to introduce the artists to the American art world, including by exhibiting their works at the new Residence, purchased in June 2003 from Senator John Edwards. Members of the Washington elite who visited the Residence - including First Lady Laura Bush in June 2004 - praised the efforts of the Embassy and the work of the artists. Former U.S. ambassador to Hungary Nancy Goodman Brinker, who started collecting the works of these artists while posted in Budapest, was also instrumental in the eventual success of the visit.

"The deal with the artists was to borrow their works for exhibition in the Residence so as to launch something similar to the "Art in Embassies" program of the State Department. At the same time, our aim was to introduce these contemporary Hungarian artists to the vast American arts market," said Ambassador András Simonyi.

Click here to read an article about the artists in the Washington Post.

"Hungary's 'Open House' of Art:" An Article form the Washington Times

 

Ambassador András Simonyi with István Nádler and László Fehér

István Nádler in front of a picture he has loaned to the Embassy

Ms. Náda Simonyi Peják, wife of the Ambassador, as well as Amb. Nancy Goodman Brinker and curator István Rozsics introduced the artists to the guests

Artists Gábor Tari and István Bullás resting in the Ambassador's study

István Nádler's paintings grace the dining room wall at the Residence