Szultán Bogdándy consistently calls himself an art brut artist. Therefore, I need to describe this term here. The term is related to Jean Dubuffet’s informel (formless, form denying) way of creation, which places spontaneous self-reflection in the centre of artistic creation as opposed to the ideals of high art. Szultán Bogdándy also works in this framework: he purposefully, what is more environmentally consciously, uses waste produced by consumer society for the preparation of his assemblages. At the same time, he also pays deliberate attention to making the boxes he uses look unaesthetic; this is one of the ways through which he urges his audience to be critical of social injustice, abnormalities and absurdities.

Miklós Toldi’s artistic work is related to Szultán Bogdándy’s in that he also prepares collages from objects. However, his plastics are both direct and archaic, and they conjure up those ancient times when man was still an integral part of nature. He makes references to this wholeness and completeness between man and nature by using and applying certain pieces of the object culture of peasants. Almost all of Toldi’s artworks are made of wood and take the shape of a wooden wash tub (assuming the shape of a cradle or coffin). These wash tubs, which function as object displays, hold not only objects made of wood and sometimes of metal, but they also house photos. Another group of Toldi’s artistic creations is characterised by the following arrangement: wooden wash tubs are placed face up, and they are supported by chairs without back rests that serve as postaments.

Lajos Lóska

Curator