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This first-ever monograph celebrates the Hungarian artist's remarkable seven-decade career, marking her 90th birthday in 2023. Known for her bold color palette and organic abstractions, Keserü masterfully blends Hungarian folk traditions with European modernist ideals.
Explore the groundbreaking art of Ilona Keserü, one of Europe's most influential post-war abstract artists
- Vibrant and bold colors: A hallmark of Keserü's work, reflecting her artistic and scientific experiments.
- Early feminist themes: Her works from the 1960s emphasize female identity, preceding second-wave feminism.
- Defying conformity: Her art stood as a bold statement against Soviet ideals, embracing creative freedom.
Immerse yourself in Keserü's luminous color spaces and discover her lasting impact on European abstraction. This beautifully illustrated book is a must-have for art lovers, collectors, and anyone passionate about abstract art and feminist pioneers.
ILONA KESERÜ (*1933 in Pécs, Hungary) graduated from the Academy of Fine Art in Budapest in 1958 (the István Szönyi fresco painting studio). Keserü initially worked as an illustrator. She started exhibiting her art in the mid-1960s and participated in the important exhibitions that formed the so-called Iparterv generation. In parallel, she began developing her career as a theatre designer. Since 1983, she taught at the University of Pécs and then became one of the founders of the Master School of Fine Arts in Pécs. Recently, her works have been included in exhibitions featuring the most important abstract artist such as "Women in Abstraction" at Center Pompidou, Paris, among others. She lives and works in Budapest.
List of contents
CoverTitlepageContentsForewordILONA KESERÜ: LIFE IN IMAGES - Emma VidovszkyFLOWING SHAPES IN THE ART OF ILONA KESERÜ - Mónika ZsiklaILONA KESERÜ AND THE COMMUNITY OF THE ABSTRACT - Klara Kemp-WelchAPPROACHES: TRADITION AND SUBVERSION, BODY, IMAGE, AND IDENTITY IN THE EARLY ART OF THE IPARTERV GENERATION AND ILONA KESERÜ - Dávid FehérBAROQUE REASONS AND VERNACULAR RHYMES: ON ILONA KESERÜ - Katalin AknaiILONA KESERÜ: BEING A WOMAN ARTIST IN STATE-SOCIALIST HUNGARY - Agata JakubowskaDEATH, LOVE, AND DESIRE: ILONA KESERÜ'S POP ABSTRACTIONS - Flavia FrigeriTHE CURTAIN IS TEXTILE, TOO: AN ATTEMPT AT MAPPING FIBER WORKS - Susanne AltmannILONA KESERÜ AND THE THEATER - Judit RadákSOUND-COLOUR-SPACE - David CrowleyPAINTERS ARE PART OF A VERY OLD TRADITION: CONVERSATION WITH ILONA KESERÜ - Éva ForgácsFLOW FORMATIONS: RECURRENCE, REPETITION, AND FLOW IN THE ART OF ILONA KESERÜ - Dávid FehérAUTHOR BIOGRAPHIESAcknowledgmentsColophon
Summary
This first-ever monograph celebrates the Hungarian artist’s remarkable seven-decade career, marking her 90th birthday in 2023. Known for her bold color palette and organic abstractions, Keserü masterfully blends Hungarian folk traditions with European modernist ideals.Explore the groundbreaking art of Ilona Keserü, one of Europe’s most influential post-war abstract artistsVibrant and bold colors: A hallmark of Keserü’s work, reflecting her artistic and scientific experiments.Early feminist themes: Her works from the 1960s emphasize female identity, preceding second-wave feminism.Defying conformity: Her art stood as a bold statement against Soviet ideals, embracing creative freedom.Immerse yourself in Keserü’s luminous color spaces and discover her lasting impact on European abstraction. This beautifully illustrated book is a must-have for art lovers, collectors, and anyone passionate about abstract art and feminist pioneers.ILONA KESERÜ (*1933 in Pécs, Hungary) graduated from the Academy of Fine Art in Budapest in 1958 (the István Szőnyi fresco painting studio). Keserü initially worked as an illustrator. She started exhibiting her art in the mid-1960s and participated in the important exhibitions that formed the so-called Iparterv generation. In parallel, she began developing her career as a theatre designer. Since 1983, she taught at the University of Pécs and then became one of the founders of the Master School of Fine Arts in Pécs. Recently, her works have been included in exhibitions featuring the most important abstract artist such as "Women in Abstraction" at Center Pompidou, Paris, among others. She lives and works in Budapest.
