Nora Komoroczki
Who are the artists, past or present, who have most influenced your work, and in what ways have they shaped your approach to painting?
I’ve always admired Mr. Gyula Benczúr (1844-1920), the great Hungarian historical painter’s artworks. During the covid pandemic I got permission from the chief muzeologist of the Hungarian National Gallery to copy the Master’s two of his wonderful paintings. It was not allowed to visit museums during the epidemic, so I could use only a small size photo available on the internet, but finally I could make the copies. I received a lot of praise from the chief museologist of the Gallery, that made me very proud and this gave me further inspirations. Paintings of Johannes Vermeer from Holland also had a great influence on me. A movie about his life inspired me to capture a scene and an image of Griete, one of Vermer's servants, from the film. The wonderful Italian painters like Caravaggio or the Spanish Salvador Dali also have a great influence on me.
Budapest is rich with artistic heritage and culture. Can you talk about how living in the Hungarian capital has influenced your artistic vision or provided specific inspirations?
Yes, indeed, Hungary has always had and has a rich cultural life. There are about 170 museums and exhibition places to visit in Budapest alone. There are many opportunities here to go to theaters, cinemas, concerts and musical or ballet performances. Even in my childhood, we visited frequently my favorite museums, like the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hungarian National Gallery, where I was highly impressed by the paintings of great domestic and foreign artists. These artworks had a great impact on me, those beautiful paintings inspired me to make drawings whenever I could. Later, as a young adult instead of drawing I started to prefer painting in oil on canvas, because I truly love colours which are better reflecting the surrounding world.
You've lived and created art in several countries. How do you incorporate the diverse landscapes and cultural elements of these places into a cohesive artistic style?
I always try to show on my canvas what I see around me. The key to create a cohesive artistic style lies in finding a balance between diversity and unity, embracing a multitude of influences while weaving them together into a unique, cohesive vision. The most important to capture a special moment, to recognize the uniqueness of the landscape or the place where we are. Different locations have different effects on us. The colours can vary, they can be diverse, but the most important to emphasize the feeling and the mood of the given moment with the help of colours on the painting. By depicting the beauty and complexity of the world around me, I can create art that transcends borders and speaks the same language to all people.
Transitioning from journalism to art, how do you weave narrative into your paintings? Can you provide an example of a painting that tells a particularly compelling story?
I could mention more stories. Having red novel „Love in the time of Cholera” by Columbian Nobel-Prize writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez I can say, it touched me deeply. I had a feeling that I must paint the most important scenes of the novel, and I did it. A theatre performance of the Finnish national epic Kalevala performed in Debrecen (Hungarian countryside city) was presented in a very modern, unique way, which had an impact on me. The result was a 200 cm x 180 cm sized painting. I can also mention the Anna Karenina ballet I saw in the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest, the main scenes of which I also painted on my canvas. With my paintings I try to interpret my own feelings that different literary works, theatre performances or a street scene are awakening in me.
Your paintings often capture the essence of moments and emotions. How do you approach translating complex emotions or philosophical ideas onto canvas?
I like painting collages because I can put the most important moments on the canvas at the same time. It's a kind of summary that highlights the point. Colours are of great importance, as I can reveal emotions with them.
Having been recognized with numerous international art prizes, do you feel pressure to innovate or change your style to meet certain artistic expectations or trends?
Since my artistic creations are very diverse, I do not show development along only one theme, but I try to present on canvas the diversity of the real world around us, perhaps the many foreign awards are a recognition of this. Of course, I myself strive to keep up with development while staying true to myself. While I do consider trends and expectations, I strive to maintain authenticity in my work above anything else. Perhaps there is a pressure to a certain extent to innovate, to meet new artistic expectations or trends, but I don’t really feel that pressure. I try to balance staying true to my artistic vision with staying relevant in the ever-evolving art world. I believe that genuine innovation stems from within and should be driven by personal growth rather than external pressures.
Navigating the art world can be as challenging as it is rewarding. How do you manage the business aspects of your career while maintaining your creative integrity?
Undoubtedly, it’s not so easy, but I'm careful not to let the commercial aspects overshadow my artistic vision. I prioritize projects and collaborations that align with my values and creative goals, even if they may not always be the most lucrative.
As someone who cares deeply about nature, how do you ensure your art practice is sustainable or environmentally friendly?
In Hungary, central efforts are made and state subsidies introduced to support placing solar panels on roofs in orders to contribute to the use of alternative energy sources. To reduce my own studio's energy consumption, I use mostly natural light, energy-saving lighting, equipment and devices, solar panels and solar collectors, and installed a heat pump for heating/cooling. In our country, we have been selectively collecting plastic, paper and household waste in separate bins for years in order to re-use them later.
Have you ever collaborated with other artists or industries? What was the experience like, and what did you learn from it?
At one occasion, I participated in an artistic summer painting camp, where we spent a week together with 25 of fellow artists. We created during the day and enjoyed each other's company of friends in the evening. We shared our artistic experiences, talked about painting, techniques, etc. In general, it was very pleasant, but I prefer to create alone, while listening to some pleasant music and being immersed in my own world, because that way I can create more creatively and calmly.
Looking to the future, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave with your art? How do you wish to influence or inspire the next generation of artists?
The nature around us is very beautiful, which we must preserve for the youth of the future. I would like the rising generation of artists to try their best to reflect the positive moments of the present, the great results achieved by humanity, the achievements of technology and IT, and also show the thousand wonders of nature in their works.