It's finally here again! A whole new series of abstractions in ceramics comes to life in Márta Nagy's solo exhibition at Galerie Terra Delft.
The Hungarian artist Márta Nagy (Budapest, 1954) was trained as a ceramic artist by Imre Schrammel. As a porcelain designer, she worked for the internationally renowned Hungarian brands Herend and Zsolnay. Before her retirement, she was a professor of ceramic arts at the art academy in Pécs, in southern Hungary.
We, the owners of Galerie Terra Delft, met Márta in 1995 and were immediately impressed by her work. At that time, she showed porcelain plates with repeating decorations of floral motifs in shades of blue, white, and pink, complemented by gold or silver luster glaze. This work looked modern with a strong connection to folk art. It was different from what we knew, and the glossy glazed white Hungarian porcelain was a feast for the eyes! Her work has evolved over the years, and since then, other types of clay have also been applied.
Her signature includes the application of subtle color combinations, focusing on the color in conjunction with the sheen of the porcelain or the rough surface of stoneware. Contrasts are important in her work. For example, elements made of coarse stoneware stand in opposition to the refined porcelain. The earthy character of the rough stoneware is softened by the use of bright and pastel-colored glazes. The abstract imagery invites the viewer to project their own feelings and thoughts onto the artwork.
The works in the recent exhibition at Galerie Terra Delft are abstract compositions. With titles like 'Trio', 'Drift', and 'Story', Nagy allows the viewer to perceive what is happening. The images radiate both calmness and dynamism. All works are unique and bear the characteristics of Márta Nagy's oeuvre. The oeuvre of a versatile artist who uses the traits of different types of clay to express herself. Modest and powerful, with respect for the rich Hungarian cultural heritage, nature, and humanity.
The abstract imagery invites the viewer to project their own feelings and thoughts onto the artwork. Over the years, Márta has also created porcelain flowers alongside her autonomous work. Intended for the wall, these become rich ornaments and remain consistently popular with the public. Each flower is unique, each flower has its own character. She enjoys using the authentic luster glazes that are also used in the Zsolnay factory in her former hometown of Pécs.
