“Women’s Archive: Joint Exhibition of Tóth György and Jiri Straka Showcases Moments of Women’s Lives”
Beijing, July 7, 2023, Leily Wang, International Arts News- The New Millennium Gallery in Beijing is currently hosting a captivating exhibition titled “Women’s Archive,” featuring a collaborative display of photography and paintings by renowned Hungarian photographer Tóth György and celebrated Czech painter Jiri Straka. The exhibition, organized by the Embassy of Hungary in Beijing, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Beijing, and Liszt Institute-Hungarian Cultural Center Beijing, will run from July 2nd to August 2nd, 2023.
Tóth György, a contemporary photographer born in Budapest in 1950, has dedicated himself to the art of photography since 1972. He is a distinguished member of the Association of Hungarian Photographers (MFSZ) and previously served as a board member within the Youth Photographers Studio operating within the MFSZ from 1980 to 1986. György was also the photographer for Hungarian Television (MTV) from 1980 to 1999, later becoming the head of the channel’s Photo Department in 1997. In recognition of his contributions, he became a member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts in 2013.
Jiri Straka, born in Prague, Czech Republic in 1967, is an esteemed painter and currently holds the position of distinguished professor in the Mural Department at the Central Academy of Fine Arts. He is also the founder of the Sino-Czech Contemporary Art Museum. Straka completed his Chinese Studies degree at Charles University in Prague in 1995 and further pursued Traditional Chinese Painting at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, completing his studies in 1997. His professional journey included a curatorship at the National Gallery in the Czech Republic from 2000 to 2006 before settling in Beijing in 2006. In 2014, he received the European Cultural Art Contribution Award from the Czech President at the Czech Presidential Palace.
The “Women’s Archive” exhibition showcases a series of photographs and paintings with a central theme of portraying the moments that shape women’s lives. Tóth György’s photography captures these moments with a contemporary lens, while Jiri Straka’s paintings infuse traditional Chinese painting techniques with influences from Japanese manga and international popular culture, reflecting the values of different regions, nations, and social classes.
Expressing his artistic intention, Straka said, “I attempted to raise questions through the mental state of certain women to captivate the attention of the audience. In the context of international globalization, I borrowed imagery of women from Japanese manga and international popular culture, reflecting the values of different regions and nations. Simultaneously, I maintained the essence of Chinese traditional painting by utilizing ink, details, and blank space to create a relaxed and entertaining form of self-expression. My hope is that these works will stimulate thought and foster discussions among the audience.”
The collaborative exhibition between Tóth György and Jiri Straka provides a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts and visitors to appreciate the artistic interpretations of women’s lives through different mediums. The “Women’s Archive” exhibition exemplifies the profound creativity and cultural exchange between Hungary, the Czech Republic, and China, underscoring the significance of international collaboration within the art world.
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