The Society of Hungarian Painters was founded in the summer of 1995 by 33 painters. With its current membership of 329, the Society is the largest nationwide professional organization of Hungarian painters.

Over the past 30 years, many of the founding members have passed away, moved abroad, or become untraceable. Thus, this exhibition is represented by the works of 16 artists who are still active and creating today, each contributing two paintings to this significant occasion. Many of them are prize-winning, highly acclaimed artists whose oeuvre has become part of the canon of Hungarian painting. Thanks to their recognition and renown, they play an important role in the country’s exhibition life. This group exhibition commemorates together the 30th anniversary of the Society’s founding.

The founding president of the Society was painter and writer Gábor Karátson, followed by painter and art writer Albert Kováts, who led the organization for 25 years. The current president of the Society is painter István Sinkó, with painters Ákos Révész and István Vankó serving as vice presidents.

As a member of the Association of Hungarian Fine and Applied Arts Societies, the Society of Hungarian Painters is dedicated to supporting the professional community of Hungarian painters. It primarily fulfills this mission through the organization of exhibitions—both thematic and professionally curated group shows, as well as by supporting solo exhibitions. In doing so, the Society also aims to broaden the visibility of contemporary Hungarian art and to promote modern and contemporary fine art, not only through exhibitions but also by publishing catalogues and other materials.

The Society does not favor any single artistic trend or style; on the contrary, it considers the cultivation of the diversity of Hungarian painting and the support of individual artistic aspirations to be of primary importance. The Society continuously documents its activities on its website, where the full list of past exhibitions and digital, browsable versions of all published catalogues are available.

Cover image: György Jovián: Demolition VI / 2010, oil on canvas / 150 × 200 cm