Idea – Form – Life: Márton Kalmár memorial exhibition opens to great acclaim

NewsCulture

Mar 16

The Idea – Form – Life memorial exhibition, celebrating the legacy of Márton Kalmár, opened at REÖK Szeged to a large and enthusiastic audience on Friday, March 14. The exhibition, featuring nearly a hundred sculptures, drawings, paintings, medals, and small-scale sculptures, pays tribute to the renowned Szeged-based sculptor, who passed away in December 2024.

“Today, thanks to the organizers, we are surrounded by Márton Kalmár’s art. Only a true artist can gift their community the cathartic experience of feeling their artistic presence and spirit embracing us. And today, we feel that here,” said Dr. József Kozma, Chairman of the Cultural, Educational, Tourism, and Youth Committee of Szeged’s Municipality, in his opening speech.

Kalmár was born and raised in Szeged, where he spent his life working and dedicating himself to his hometown. He created sculptures honoring historical and scientific figures such as Sándor Bálint (ethnographer), Albert Szent-Györgyi (scientist), Lajos Batthyány (politician), and István Tömörkény (writer), leaving a lasting mark on the city’s public spaces.

“We didn’t want to wait months for a smaller retrospective. We aimed to present his legacy in full, and what you see here is perhaps the most extensive exhibition of his career,” explained Dr. Róbert Nátyi, chief curator of REÖK. He also reflected on Kalmár’s artistic potential, noting, “he was capable of creating much larger-scale public sculptures. It would have been wonderful to see monumental works from him in Szeged, a city that prides itself on its sculptures.”

The ceremony concluded with Kalmár’s children reading some of their father’s most memorable quotes, offering a deeply personal glimpse into his artistic vision.

The Idea – Form – Life exhibition is open at REÖK until May 4.