Hungarian masters bring prints to Guanlan

Running from March 25 to May 31, the dual exhibition of Zoltán Janváry and Gyula Frimmel is being held at the Qi Fengge Museum of Printmaking History, part of the China Guanlan Original Printmaking Base.

The show brings nearly 100 works spanning different stages of the two artists’ careers, offering visitors in Shenzhen a rare encounter with contemporary Eastern European printmaking.

Both artists are graduates of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts and are widely regarded as key figures in modern Hungarian printmaking. Their works, shaped by decades of artistic practice and teaching, reflect a deep command of traditional techniques alongside evolving personal visual languages.

A work of art by Zoltán Janváry.

Janváry’s work is rooted in a contemporary reinterpretation of classical ideals. His prints construct what he describes as a “Golden Age of Humanity,” where small human figures are set against monumental architectural and sculptural forms. Drawing on imagery from the Carpathian region, his compositions evoke an epic, almost timeless narrative. His mastery of intaglio techniques, particularly mezzotint, lends his work a sculptural depth and tonal richness. Having spent more than two decades teaching in the United States, his practice bridges Eastern European traditions with a broader international perspective.

Frimmel, by contrast, explores the tension between figuration and abstraction. His works juxtapose precise, realistic details with experimental compositions, creating images that are both poetic and subtly disquieting. He frequently references figures from Western art history while transforming everyday objects into surreal visual elements. His sustained exploration of mezzotint allows him to build layered, atmospheric images that reflect a deep inquiry into the expressive possibilities of printmaking.

A work of art by Gyula Frimmel.

Presented together, the two artists form a compelling dialogue — between narrative and structure, monumentality and introspection — inviting viewers to engage with printmaking from multiple perspectives.

The exhibition also underscores Guanlan’s growing role as a platform for international artistic exchange. As one of China’s most established printmaking centers, the Guanlan base has increasingly positioned itself as a meeting point for global print cultures through research-driven exhibitions and cross-border collaborations.

By introducing the work of prominent Hungarian artists, the exhibition not only brings Eastern European print traditions to local audiences, but also reinforces Guanlan’s ambition to build an internationally connected cultural ecosystem. In an era shaped by rapid technological change, it offers a reminder of the enduring creative value of handcrafted artistic expression.

Dates: Through May 31

Venue: Qi Fengge Museum of Printmaking History, China Guanlan Original Printmaking Base, Longhua District (龙华区中国·观澜版画原创产业基地齐凤阁版画史学馆)

Metro: Line 4 to Niuhu Station (牛湖站), Exit B, and then take a taxi