Curriculum
Erzsi Könyves, Born in1942 in
My earliest memories are those of heavy bombings in
At a very young age I was confronted with the violence of war. During World War II, the street where I lived formed the frontline between the Russian Army, which wanted to conquer
As a schoolgirl, during the communist-Stalinist regime, I had to live in totally divided worlds. Outdoors I had to try to cope as best as possible in an environment full of party-political systems and indoctrination. However, at home I tried to do my own thing, to develop a free spirit and independent thinking. Of course, this had to be hidden from the outside world, because betrayal was everywhere.
This attitude grew into a way of life: very careful not to expose myself, not to stand out. Living with clipped wings.
I started my secondary education at the Gymnasium for Fine Arts in
During the 1956 Revolution, I took part in the demonstrations and street fighting and because of that I had to flee my country, on my own, 14 years old. By way of refugee camps and a foster-family in
(In 2006, EO-television made a documentary of my experiences, in the series :"Het zal je maar gebeuren". Norbert Adam Kiss made a film of me, while I am paining and telling about one of the things that happened . To be seen at www.mindmapstories.com/en/forlife )
In
I worked as a graphic designer, made illustrations for advertising and for a while worked in
For the past twenty years, I have given lessons in painting for adults.
My artwork consists mainly of acryl-paintings on canvas.
My paintings are created out of pure emotion. Being moved by pain, joy, love, everything that makes up our existence.
While painting, my soul is bared, layer by layer, in order to get to my emotions. On the painting it is rebuilt, layer by layer, into a whole with a thick skin. I often use a trace of gold leaf to emphasize the golden moments of life.
It is difficult to describe the style of my paintings in one word. Often abstract, but always full of emotions, a bit symbolic, a touch of mysticism. However, people looking at these paintings must make up their own minds.
The essence for me is: pure colours, light, a longing for beauty and especially FREEDOM in depicting the emotions that stir my soul. Capturing and making permanent everything that moves me...