Music/Folklore paper by Magyar, Kálmán
Domján József and Qi Baishi, Friends Forever
Type of Abstract (select):Abstract (max. 250 words):
József Domján [1907 – 1992] is one of Hungary’s most famous and prolific artists in the 20th Century. His works are in the collections of many major museums in North America, but also around the world. Domján was born into a poor working class family in Budapest and due to his exceptional talent and pure luck, he became a recognized artists before WWII and following, during the Communist regime. He has received the Munkáçsy and Kossuth Prizes and In 1956, after the fall of the Revolution, he immigrated with his family to the West, eventually settling in Tuxedo Park, New York.
Interesting and noteworthy, that in 1955 he was invited to visit, exhibit and study in China by the Mao Ce-Tung government. This visit resulted in 15 exhibitions in important Chinese cities and a study tour, which was a determining influence on his works throughout his life. During this visit, he was fortunate to meet and work with one of the most important Chinese artists, Qi Baishi [1864 – 1957]. The impact of Domján’s visit to China and his meetings with Qi Baishi are important part of his artistic imagery and symbolisms, even in his latest works.
In 2014 October, the Peking Hungarian Cultural Center, Balassi Institute, opened a successful exhibition of Domján Art and entitled the exhibition Domján and Qi Baishi, Friends Forever. In fact, it is true, since Domján is the only Hungarian artists who met Qi and has carried the reminiscence of these meetings throughout his life, thereby creating a connections between Chinese and Hungarian contemporary art. In 1955 Qi Baishi was already 92 years old and he passed away 2 years later.
To fully understand Domján Art, we must consider the importance of his visit to China. The presentation will focus on the 2014 exhibition in Peking and how important the 1955 five months study and exhibition tour was to one and only Hungarian artist who had a chance to visit China during the Mao Ce-Tung regime.
Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Kalman Magyar is the director of the American Hungarian Folklore Centrum and its related organization, the American Hungarian Museum, Passaic, New Jersey. The Museum’s long and meaningful association with Domján Art and Family makes one of its mission to keep Domján Art alive in Hungary and in the USA, and assist in bringing recognition to the works of this artist and his wife, Evelyn, a lifelong partner in his art.