Peter Jakab Szoke

The art defined

In the pictures, I look for some kind of my own world, where the ordered chaos experienced in life meets the stories of the figures and people I have met, from my point of view, rearranged, as if I were assembling the extracted details in a studio, entrusting the colors and compositions to the feelings of my eyes. Lived and desired experiences are put on the canvas, images that form before my eyes, based on free gestures and plays. My technique was developed in my own way, I use acrylic, ink, and felt for the base layers, and oil paint for painting the figures, coverings, and glazing. A few years ago, I included the use of photo transfer for the foundation, which is mainly intended to color the details of the picture, but since I transfer black and white photos to the canvas, this also contrasts with the colorist’s color treatment. Numbered giclée prints are also made from my paintings, mainly on stretched canvas, in limited editions.

Inspired by Warhol

Andy Warhol was an ever-changing figure in contemporary art, bringing fresh perspectives and surprising new ideas. In a fast-paced world, which has since intensified, he was able to give us snapshots, whether of ordinary objects or of the unordinary yet iconic faces of mass culture. I, like Andy, consider this perception, this adaptation to life, and thus a process of working with the repository of art history that has happened, to be an important part of my artistic work, of course with different priorities, but in tune with the rhythm of the times. This is what connects me with his work and artistic vision.

For a Long Night

Andy Warhol’s painting of an Absolut Vodka bottle raised some interesting questions for me. The cut-out motif shows the simple, yet intriguing top of the bottle, with an inscription. How this can be continued, translated to my own world. The glass is half empty or half full, it’s always a question of perspective on life. What characterises most the attachment to alcohol today? Source of pleasure, relaxation, change of state of mind? I don’t know if Andy drank vodka or if the Absolut bottle was a dominant image of the events around him, an integral part of popular culture, and therefore captured his imagination. For me, the bottle is half full. There is always choice and change in life. You have everything in the form, but you can also choose to look at the content and find your own reality. Open your own bottle and don’t stay closed.