Exhibitions across Florence, London, and Mexico are commemorating the centenary of postwar Hungarian artist Karl Stengel, whose extraordinary life and work are being rediscovered. Stengel’s legacy, which includes abstract expressionist canvases and surreal drawings, is now gaining the recognition it deserves after years of obscurity. Through exhibitions at the Stengel Collection in Florence, the Oxo Tower in London, and the MACQ Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Querétaro in Mexico, audiences have the opportunity to explore more than 45 of Stengel’s paintings, works on paper, and mixed-media compositions.
Stengel’s story is marked by the determination to create art, even in the most challenging circumstances. From drawing his guard on a cement bag while imprisoned in a Soviet gulag, to completing his artistic training in Munich after fleeing Hungary during the revolution of 1956, Stengel’s journey reflects resilience, exile, and the enduring power of art. His work, influenced by music, poetry, and literature, remains a poignant reflection of human suffering, resilience, and the search for meaning in a fractured world.
While Stengel’s art was not widely recognized during his lifetime, the centenary exhibitions aim to introduce his work to new audiences around the world. Through exploring Stengel’s diaries, filled with intricate drawings on book pages and music sheets, visitors can gain insights into his diverse cultural interests and creative process. Ultimately, Stengel’s art serves as a testament to the transformative potential of art, offering a positive and hopeful narrative that resonates with contemporary audiences.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
