László Szlávics, Jr.

The native form of this personal name is Szlávics László. This article uses the Western name order.
László Szlávics, Jr.
Born Hungarian: Szlávics László
(1959-08-11) August 11, 1959
Budapest, Hungary
Nationality Hungarian
Known for Sculpture, Medallic art, Coin, Kinetic art, Interactive art, Mobile

László Szlávics (born August 11, 1959) is a Hungarian sculptor and medallic artist. He publishes his works under the names (Hungarian: ifj. Szlávics László, or Szlávics László, ifj.) László, ifj. Szlávics or Laszlo Szlavics, Jr.

“ László Szlávics jr. has set several new norms in Hungarian medallic art. It was presumably not his express aim, but he was merely following the dictates of his innovative mind to do something new not yet found in the trade. He is heading in this direction, with the sure – and literally tangible – conviction that at the extremes, on the limits of the art form there is still a lot to be searched – and found out. ”
— Antal Tóth[1]

Biography

Between 1973 and 1977 he attended the Arts & Crafts Secondary School in Budapest. After obtaining his Secondary School Leaving Certificate his training was supervised by his father also László Szlávics a goldsmith and sculptor and the sculptor Agamemnon Makris. Since 1973 he has lived and worked in the Százados artist’ colony in Budapest. Since 1995 he has often designed memorial coins for the National Bank of Hungary.

Works

Szlávics is primarily a medalist. His works include every kind of medal, from those displaying the craftsmanship of the traditional minter to such as tend towards small sculptures. The dual commitment tend towards can be appreciated in all his works.

From the middle of the 1970s his sculptures, reliefs and medals have been characterized by realism and the precision of their craftsmanship. In the 1980s he was noted for handmade medals engraved in a steel negative, a technique reminiscent of ancient coinage. (Birds, Africa,[2] Count István Széchenyi,[3] Hungarian generals executed at Arad in 1849[4] stb.). Cast bronze works show the influence of Cubism. Among them, the most notable of the first half of the 1990s are a series of 20 medals inspired by Vincent van Gogh [5] works.

László Szlávics, Jr.: Birds, 1988, silver, struck, 47mm

In the second half of the 1990s, he made use of natural materials (bone, feathers, seashells &c.,). These are original in style, and are on the fringe of the medal-genre (Cultic proto-money[6]). As a counterpoint to this, he produced several series of medals using an industrial, where time – is measured by movements within the object – visible mode. (mechanical medals[7]). The medals are activated by the active contribution of the public.

Since the start of the 21st century, he has tried to renew the medal arts, by searching for the limits. In 2006, Hungarian Medalists awarded him – the first – Ligeti Erika Prize. In 2007, he was awarded the Béni Ferenczy Prize, grand prix of the 16th National Biennial of Medal Art. Also in that year, he was among the two selected artists at the Art Medal World Congress FIDEM XXX (Colorado Springs, USA). In his small sculptures, he often used objets trouvés given new functions. (In memoriam Man Ray,[8] An hour with Salvador Dalí ,[9] Hotline[10]). This Interactive mobile sculptures are activated by the public.[11]

Since 2008, he has produced many wooden small sculptures. Many of them are small sculptures, in the traditional sense, which, in a way, remind of houses and ruins. Large clock sculptures are related to the aforementioned both formally and technically. They are clearly contemporary works, of art, incorporating conventional devices such as the pendulum or spring mechanism, carrying out the functions of a clock. Every hour, and half hour the mark the time by striking the soundbar.

Exhibitions (selection)

Group shows

László Szlávics, Jr.: Cultic proto-money, 2004, shell, textile, hair, mixed technique,
150 x 430 mm

Since 1975 his works have been exhibited in 15 countries. The most important are:

One man shows

Since 1977 he has had 31 one man shows in Hungary and other countries. The most important are:

Awards & Recognitions (selection)

The most important national or international awards:

Collections which include work by László Szlávics Jr. (selection)

Buildings which display his work

Medals ad small sculptures (selection)

Memberships

Offices Held

Additional informations

References

Further reading

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