From the very beginning, Zoltán Gosztonyi has consciously selected elements from Hungarian folk art—styles, traditions, symbols, and spiritual motifs—to construct a distinctive, coherent artistic style. This style is uniquely his own, yet it fully embodies and radiates Hungarian heritage in all its components. Today, it is rightfully referred to as the “Gosztonyi style,” which he himself elaborated upon in his excellent book On the Path of the Stag (Szarvasösvényen).

His work is deeply rooted in the traditions of Somogy region’s pastoral art. His choice of materials, object forms, construction techniques, structural design, decorative methods, and ornamentation all draw from the former traditions of Somogy shepherd carving. Yet his creations are contemporary works of art—refined interpretations of folk art. Each piece is the result of thorough ethnographic, historical, and archaeological research. Alongside pastoral motifs, his decorations incorporate the cultural heritage of the Conquest era and early Árpádian period. These influences are visible in his symbols, themes, and stylistic choices. The Gosztonyi style unifies the decorative traditions of early Hungarians and Somogy shepherds into a single cultural legacy.

Among his many works, the horns carved from Hungarian grey cattle are considered his most outstanding achievements. Their design follows the traditions of Transdanubia, particularly those of Hodó and Kapoli. The lines and proportions of his figurative and floral motifs reflect these regional influences. The decorations are rich in content, and with the strong stylization typical of pastoral art, they depict historical figures, village scenes, and more. Each work carries a profound message related to Hungarian identity.

His creations are functional objects with aesthetic value—they are beautiful, modern, and useful at the same time. Crafted from various types of wood, animal bones, antlers, and cattle or buffalo horn, his pieces include jewelry, boxes for various uses, bone and horn containers, walking sticks, belt pouches adorned with bone plates, horns, and more. Most are characterized by the combination of multiple materials. His work is recognized in the Kaposvár and Somogy County repositories of local cultural values (Értéktár).

Zoltán Gosztonyi holds a prominent place among contemporary Hungarian carvers—not only for his award-winning works and school-defining artistic career, but also for his community-building efforts in the realm of folk applied arts. As president of the Folk Art Association of Somogy County, he tirelessly advocates for his fellow artists and for Hungarian folk culture. He also actively participates in national folk art movements and the work of the Folk Art Board. Among his many honors, the title Master of Folk Art stands out. Since 2015, he has been a member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts.

Curator of the exhibition: Dr. Ilona S. Kovács, ethnographer