This summer, the Hungarian audience finally got to see the works of record-breaking painter Szabolcs Bozó , whose colourful pieces have wowed international auctions, at the House of the Hungarian Millennium in City Park. And if you haven’t yet — or would love to go again — here’s the good news: the exhibition has been extended and can now be visited until 26 October .
A milestone in every sense
This exhibition marks a milestone both in Szabolcs Bozó’s career and in Hungary’s contemporary art scene, as the artist – whose works have sold for record prices at prestigious auctions – presents his first solo show to a local audience. Bozó’s rise is a unique success story in contemporary painting: over the past few years, he has broken into the international art market and is now regarded as one of the most sought-after young Hungarian painters.
Originally from Pécs, the artist began to pursue painting more seriously while working in hospitality in London, quickly catching the attention of gallerists and art dealers. In just a few years, his works made their way into prestigious exhibitions and collections in New York, Venice, Hong Kong and other art capitals. After his breakthrough in 2021, by 2023 he had become the highest-selling living Hungarian artist, a clear sign of both his international recognition and the value of his work.
When I first encountered Szabolcs’s work, I was immediately struck by a distinct Eastern European sensitivity that reminded me of the Hungarian fairy tales and animations of my childhood. The worlds of Süsü and the Little Mole echoed through his paintings, creating an instant personal connection for me. I’m proud to have played a part in launching his international career, and it’s a real joy to see him now presenting in his homeland. The NEO Contemporary Art Space is the perfect setting for this — modern, yet deeply rooted in Hungarian culture.
– shared Carl Kostyál, Szabolcs Bozó’s gallerist and the owner of Carl Kostyál – London | Stockholm | Hong Kong.
From "cuteness" to the depths of the soul
Szabolcs Bozó’s playful, large-scale paintings, bursting with vivid colours, make his style instantly recognisable. His creative world draws inspiration from the history of classic Hungarian animation and its beloved childhood characters. Reimagined from memory and filtered through his own unique vision, these figures come to life on his canvases, filling them with exciting, dynamic compositions.
As a child, I spent countless hours drawing and recreating characters I saw on TV — Süsü, the Little Mole or Frakk. Even today, those memories and feelings continue to shape my work, which is why it means so much to me to finally present a solo exhibition in Hungary after so many years in London. Showing my art at the House of the Hungarian Millennium, in the NEO Contemporary Art Space, feels like a true homecoming — not only geographically, but also on a personal, emotional level.
– said Szabolcs Bozó.
The exhibition at NEO aims to showcase the significant transformation that Szabolcs Bozó’s art has undergone in recent years. Alongside his earlier works — often labelled as “cutism” or “cuteness”, with charming, simplified figures — visitors will also encounter his newer, large-scale compositions. Here, multiple characters interact in more complex ways, often rendered with an ironic or grotesque twist.
The exhibition takes visitors through this process of transformation, offering a chance to explore the layered, more complex interpretations of Szabolcs Bozó’s work. Beyond marking the artist’s Hungarian debut, the show also provides insight into new approaches in contemporary art management and the unique path an artist can take to international recognition.
At the NEO Contemporary Art Space, visitors can see around 20 large-scale paintings and 80 smaller works on paper by Szabolcs Bozó, brought to Budapest from prestigious private collections across Europe — including London, Milan, Copenhagen and Stockholm — as well as from Hungarian collections.
Szabolcs Bozó’s paintings surprise viewers in the best possible way. They are simple and direct, awakening the childlike memories that live in all of us. His works capture that elusive feeling of longing for a soulmate without knowing exactly what shape or character they might take. This is where imagination steps in — and it’s these imagined “creatures” that Bozó brings to life in his increasingly complex body of work.
– explained Zsolt Petrányi, the curator of the exhibition, about the artist.
The exhibition is accompanied by a series of related events and educational programmes, ranging from roundtable discussions and guided tours to activities designed for children. On 17 September , psychologist and trainer Annamária Kádár will use the exhibition to explore the complex emotions behind the world of “cuteness” and the importance of our social connections. On 18 September , curator Dr Zsolt Petrányi will lead a special guided tour, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and insights into why Szabolcs Bozó’s first Hungarian show is so significant. Several additional guided tours are also planned, while on 28 September , children aged 7–12 can take part in an interactive family workshop where everyone will get the chance to create their own fantasy creature. If you haven’t seen the exhibition yet — or would like to visit again — you can do so until 26 October .
You can buy tickets here.
(Cover photo: Carl Kostyál Galéria – London |Stockholm | Hong Kong)
Lelki Társ – Soulmate: A solo exhibition by Szabolcs Bozó
Event details
Legyetek ott első városi piknikünkön!
Gyertek, és töltsünk el egy vidám napsütéses tavaszi napot együtt a városligeti fák lombjai között május 1-jén, ahol day-time piknik, workshopok, sok szuper food truck és dizájnvásár is vár mindenkit.
Ünnepeljük együtt a tavaszt, a találkozásokat és azt a pezsgést, amiért annyira szeretjük Budapestet!
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