András Remsey: “The One Present in the Moment”
The expression wasn’t coined by me but by graphic artist Miklós Radoszáv during the opening of a particular exhibition. Titled “Feed the Birds of the Sky”, the Monád Gallery (formerly the Lavender Gallery) organised András Remsey’s first solo exhibition in 2019 to mark his 90th birthday anniversary, although, sadly, he was no longer with us.
András Remsey cannot be categorised under traditional labels like graphic artist, musician, filmmaker, or painter because such titles would confine his vast and multifaceted creativity. Instead, he was, in the truest sense, a Renaissance man.
This applied not only to his artistic pursuits but also to his way of life—his love for nature, the way he sat, told stories, played, and educated. He embodied a spirit that transcended conventional artistic or personal boundaries, leaving a profound and lasting impact.
His creative life could not be separated from his daily existence, as his way of being and thinking were inseparably intertwined, forming a complete and harmonious whole. His drawing and painting tools were never put away, just as his very essence held a fire and the melancholic tones of piano notes, a fierce belief system, and a cheerful sensitivity all at once.
He was both a solitary, reflective individual and a vigilant, community-oriented presence. He created playfully yet with seriousness, analysing as he brought his visions to life. His works depicted fairy tales and anecdotes, tragicomedies, epics, and dramas. He did not seek to reinvent the world—he sought to love it and to reveal it.
His fine art career was multifaceted, yet certain focal points and areas of intensity in his work were deeply explored and meticulously examined. His use of colour was dominated by Rembrandt-like tones: earth pigments, browns, ochres, sienna, umber, and occasional flashes of yellow, red, and blue. The variety and possibilities of his lines and patches were endless, each carrying countless interpretations and variations.
In his grand style of linework and sketches, one can sense the ancient knowledge, humanity, and directness of cave paintings. Like the wisdom of Native Americans, he often observed in silence, which allowed him to create razor-sharp character studies.
If one delves into even the smallest areas of his works, they reveal a world of diverse elements and textures, all forming cohesive shapes and unity. Such precision and harmony could only be achieved with a profound mastery of technique and focused, thoughtful intent.
His closeness to nature is especially evident in his meticulously detailed bird series. In these works, his birds are not only transformed into distinct personalities but are rendered with gestures that are true to life and a detail-rich accuracy that strikes at the essence of their being. His lines are often dynamic where the character calls for it, or quietly huddled when the mood demands. Such portrayals can only be achieved by someone who truly understands their subjects.
His depictions of mushrooms, tree stumps, or shoes placed beside a bed seem almost personified. He structurally analysed the everyday objects and plants in his surroundings, unfolding their essence and allowing their nature to emerge through form.
In his broader compositions, he often employed watercolour, embracing the fluid and light technique of washes. With a focus akin to Morandi’s meditative approach, he unravelled the stories of these objects and natural elements, giving them a voice through his art.
“Virtue always radiates light, even through the hardships of poverty and narrow apertures. Tranquility, a quiet place, a gentle meadow, a serene sky, the murmuring of springs, and the calmness of the soul have a profound influence on turning even the most barren muses into fertile ones, whose offspring fill the world with admiration and delight.” – wrote Miguel de Cervantes.
This sentiment brings Don Quixote into the narrative, as his story emphasizes resilience and self-discovery over adventures and events. For it is only through such a journey that one can truly come to know oneself.
Ágnes Remsey’s striking self-portraits reveal the depths of the soul. With sharp lines reminiscent of Csernus, her eyes and intense, penetrating gazes are almost palpable, seeing straight through to the core. These are not merely depictions of eyes and cheekbones but stories—both lived and longed for. Her work reflects a person unafraid to confront and embrace her true self.
Sz. Jánosi Erzsébet
visual artist and director of Monád Gallery