Welcome
To me, photography is all about the final image, regardless of the journey, whether it is through a traditional medium or image manipulation. To capture the perfect shot, there should be ‘no limitations’ on one’s creativity.
These are the words of Hungary-based artist, Istvan Kadar whose art exudes a fairy tale-like quality, possibly inspired by his homeland Transylvania. Looking through his vast collection you are transported to a world of dreamcatchers and intriguing landscapes. Istvan expresses his creavity by focusing on different subjects and so far his collections span numerous topics, ranging from animals (animalia) to self portraits (self).
Born in Sepsiszentgyörgy, Transylvania, Kadar later moved to Canada at the age of 22 and studied graphic design in Toronto. In 1997 he moved to Budapest and spent eight years as a graphic designer, before returning to Toronto to study web design. In January 2009 this internationally acclaimed artist is back to where he calls “home” in Budapest, taking the arts scene by storm.
Istvan has many strings to his bow, and has talents in print, web and product design as well as photography and more traditional forms of course. Indeed, although young, Kádár has held the post of Art Director at many notable advertising agencies, both in Hungary and in Canada. Now though, he focuses solely on his own art and his work is a regular feature at exhibitions across Budapest. In January 2009 his exhibition “Imagined Reflexions” was on display at the prestigious National Dance Theatre in Budapest.
In this exhibition Istvan allows us entry into the world of an extraordinary planet. The photos are more than mere two-dimensional records and instead play on the effects of light-and-shadow, peculiar colors, as well as textures perceived during his real and imaginary travels. It’s hard to explain other than to say that although many of his pictures appear to be captured in a natural environment, they manage to depict a fantasy world.
The artist’s talents have not gone unnoticed and he has won numerous awards including the National Geographic Photographic (nature) prize (2008) and second place in the Hungarian press photo award.