Exhibition of Hungarian Roma painter’s works opens in Brussels

An exhibition presenting the roots and traditions of Roma culture through the works of Hungarian painter and poet János Balázs (1905-1977) has opened in Brussels, the director of the Hungarian Cultural Center in Brussels said on Tuesday.

The exhibition showcases the works of Balazs which can be considered the foundations of Roma painting, Adrienne Burányi told MTI.

Balazs, who lived a life of solitude, began painting at the age of 63, Burányi said. Known for his use of vibrant colours and archaic shapes, Balázs was active for eight years, producing more than 300 paintings and releasing two poetry collections during this time, she said.

“The surrealist paintings combining the mystical world of Gypsy stories and elements of reality are considered a real curiosity in Belgium, the birthplace of surrealism and home of surrealist artist Rene Magritte,” Burányi said.

According to culture.hu, János Balázs was and remains a unique phenomenon in Hungarian and international painting. He developed a unique, inimitable painterly language. His active creative period lasted only 8 years. His poetry and painting are not accidental. These paintings and these poems, which are important for both Hungarian and Roma culture, had to be born and to be present.

He painted like an adult left as a child – that is how he could see and visualise the world, with its fantastic colours, animals, landscapes and people.

The exhibition will be on display until March 8, she said, adding that the closing event will feature readings of Balázs’s poetry.

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