BIOGRAPHY – MARI GYORGYEY

Mari Gyorgyey is best known for her narrative art, which spans book arts, pen-and-ink drawings, paintings, computer imagery, and fine art etchings. She is not afraid to combine these techniques to communicate her themes. Her quirky and satirical drawings have been compared to the pre-war works of George Grosz.

Since earning her BFA from RISD and MFA from UPENN, Gyorgyey has exhibited her work both domestically and internationally, with solo shows in Budapest, Hungary; New York; and various locations in Connecticut, U.S.A. She has received printmaking awards from UPENN, Dharma Trading Company, and the Center for Contemporary Printmaking.

Some of Gyorgyey’s unorthodox themes include Dogs in Dresses, Tweens in Weight Loss Camp, and snippets of the lives of the Romanovs.

Her current body of work, titled Heritage Excavation, is a multifaceted exploration of her parents' history and her Hungarian upbringing in America. Mari investigates the conflicts and harmonies within Hungarian communities in both countries, delving into the experience of having two identities vying for dominance.

Her artwork is deeply influenced by her experiences living in communist Hungary and suburban America. It combines the passion of European Expressionism with the visual vibrancy of Technicolor films. While her work may appear offbeat at first glance, it is surprisingly approachable and empathetic to the complexities of the human condition.