“The center doesn’t hold – accumulated works and thoughts”

Posted on October 10, 2020November 21, 2020 Tagged CERTAINTY by Octavio Paz, Diane Sophrin, HORIZONT, József Atttila, Magyar Festők Társasága, Octavio Paz, On the Pavement by József Attila, RÉSZ-EGÉSZ, the center doesn't hold - accumulated works & thoughtsLeave a comment

Enough! Things pile up – the center doesn’t hold! If all this new visual and written work doesn’t get put out soon, the festering patina of time will seal, will bury everything.

The last post was, remarkably, in late July. How much has happened since then, seemingly with break-neck speed. Even as I write, things move faster and faster. I can’t possibly keep up. Paradoxically my own life seems to crawl at a snail’s pace, or stand suspended out of time entirely.

In the midst of everything going on in the world, I work. A new ongoing series, Spheres of Destiny & Variants and the related Scrolling Spots follow along the same parameters as the other recent double-sided assemblages; the Swingeing Spots, Big Looming Assemblages, Spots of Retribution and Dark Spots & Black Holes. Why this particular focus and process persists I am not sure. It offers itself, it suggests, or with stronger imperative, demands. I oblige. The Scrolling Spots can be seen here, and the Spheres of Destiny & Variants, here.

At any rate, one round diptych of the Spheres of Destiny series has already made its way to Budapest in my stead, currently exhibited in the HORIZON / HORIZONT group exhibition of the Society of Hungarian Painters (Magyar Festők Társasága).

The Spherical Fragments, a brief return to collage for another MFT exhibition entitled PART>WHOLE / RÉSZ>EGÉSZ, were completed in one burst, sent to Budapest, the exhibition opening October 16th!

Aside from regular submersion in escalating horrific news reports (can it get any worse? – yes it does, yes it will!) I have been reading poems – more Bertolt Brecht, now Octavio Paz, returning to József Attila to find poems somehow overlooked, revisiting W.B. Yeats. Passing as needed through the tortuous, exquisite route of translation by brilliant poets and writers, these words offer courage and co-conspiracy. Bridging decades, generations, centuries, they are antidotes to isolation and despair. Locked in solitary conversation with these great voices from the past, I continue to put down my own words, which can be seen here.

Ending now with Octavio Paz and József Attila . Very different, yet both speaking of what needs to be said. Next time, Brecht’s What use is goodness?, Paz, J.A. and some Yeats.

– Diane Sophrin
Vermont (10.4.20)

CERTAINTY

If it is real the white
light from this lamp, real
the writing hand, are they
real, the eyes looking at what I write?

From one word to the other
what I say vanishes.
I know that I am alive
between two parentheses.

Octavio Paz
Salamandra – Salamander [1958-1961]
English translation by Charles Tomlinson

The Poems of Octavio Paz
Edited and translated by Eliot Weinberger
A New Directions Book. 2018

PDF format here.

On the Pavement

On the pavement a small puddle was blinking
as shadows began to occupy the streets.
In their restless dreams sparrows were chirping
but then silently hung on to their twigs.
The sleeping ones will always cling
harder than the awake, ready to take flight.
People, streetcars, taxis were bustling
just like the instincts and the mind.

I kissed a girl on her mouth in a doorway,
then I mixed in among the crowd again,
Only to separate from it once more, so that
this poem could crystalize from life’s pain.
At last I see, after long meditation,
my animal sorrow is understandable
human grief that finds its scintillation
even in advertising displays.

Attila József
1935

Winter Night. Selected Poems by Attila József
translated from the Hungarian by John Bátki
Oberlin College Press. 1997

PDF format here:

ISLAND EXHIBITION (SZIGET KIÁLLÍTÁS)

Posted on November 8, 2018November 8, 2018 Tagged Island Exhibition, Magyar Festők Társasága, Society of Hungarian Painters, Sziget kiállítás, Vízivárosi GalériaLeave a comment

“If we think about it, the word Island can suggest many meanings. The demarcated entity, separate from its environment can above all give rise to the human personality, which however much a part of society it may be, is an autonomous concept in itself. Island may describe the brutal narrowness of an imposed loneliness, but also the loneliness of a victim of self-confinement. It can describe a sheltered place for a close, friendly community, portray an exiled, excluded people or conversely, voice a plea for a wider, ideal, happier world. Island can be presented as a closed form or may be also be pictured as being comprised of disconnected, unrelated parts”.
– Albert Kováts. Chair, Society of Hungarian Painters. (September 20, 2018)

“Ha belegondulunk, a sziget szónak számos jelentése feltárulhat. A körülhatárolt, környezetétől különálló entitás mindenek előtt az emberi személyiséget idézheti fel, aki bármennyire is része a társadalomnak, magában való, öntörvényű fogalom. Lehet ez a rideg, beszűkült, ellenséges magány, de az önmagába zárkózásra szorított, sértett személyiség magánya is. A SZIGET lehet bensőséges, baráti közösség védett helyszíne, de lehet a társadalomból száműzött, kirekesztett ember hona, vagy akár elvágyódás tárgya is egy tágabb, ideális, boldogabb világba. – Képileg részeket összefogó, zárt forma, de SZIGET lehet a kiszakadt, társtalan rész is”.
– Kováts Albert. Elnöke, Magyar Festők Társasága. (2018. szeptember 20)

WHITE PAINTINGS / FEHÉR KÉPEK

Posted on July 24, 2018July 26, 2018 Tagged Diane Sophrin, Fehér képek, Magyar Festők Társasága, Society of Hungarian Painters, White PaintingsLeave a comment

The White Paintings / Fehér képek (see catalog here) juried exhibition of the Hungarian Painters’ Association opened on November 16th at the City Library and Gallery in Szigetszentmiklós, just outside Budapest, and runs through December 7th.

The theme of white was new, offering opportunity for a contrasting or even opositional visual exploration to the past Black Paintings / Fekete Képek juried exhibitions of 2008 and 2011 (see catalogs here and here).

My two pieces in the exhibit, White Fire – 1 and 2, were done in the context of the Attila József series. These two new works revisited József ‘s poem Fire is Now White (Most Fehér a tűz) already the source of a piece by the same name.

NEWS AND EXHIBITIONS

Posted on April 23, 2018December 8, 2022 Tagged A Káos Könyve, ajtó - ablak kiállítás, Anticipation, Book of Chaos, Diane Sophrin, Endre Kértesz., Ferenc Takács, Ferencvárosi Historical Museum, Folyamatos jelen, Gábor Juhász, HORIZONT KIÁLLÍTÁS, Island Exhibition, István Sinkó, J.Langdon Art & Antiques, Kováts Albert, Magyar Festők Társasága, Nyitott Műhely, Open Workshop, Present Continuous, RÉSZ > EGÉSZ KIÁLLÍTÁS, Society of Hungarian Painters, Sophrin, SQD Gallery, SQD Gallery Inaugural Exhibition - Anticipation, Stella Quarta Decima Gallery, Studio Place Arts, Sziget kiállítás, Tell Me Exhibition, The Front Gallery, Vízivárosi Galéria, Wetted Scroll Series, Working Through Our Plagues: Recent Paintings by Diane Sophrin, World as Collage and Further ExtrapolationsLeave a comment

GROUP MEMBER EXHIBITION:
SHOW #52 / HOLIDAY MARKET – THE FRONT GALLERY

December 2nd, 2022 – January 1st, 2023
The Front Gallery
6 Barre St., Montpelier, Vermont
Gallery Hours: Fridays 4-7 pm
Saturdays and Sundays 11am – 5pm or by appointment
(802) 552-0877
info@thefrontvt.com

GROUP EXHIBITION:
CHRISTMAS – GIFT EXHIBITION / KARÁCSONY – AJÁNDÉK KIÁLLÍTÁS
SOCIETY OF HUNGARIAN PAINTERS / MFT: MEMBERS’ EXHIBITION

December 1 -12, 2022
Vízivárosi Gallery
Kapás Street 55, Budapest 1027

Opening: December 1, Thursday. 6pm
Remarks by László Hemrik, Art Critic

ONGOING SOLO EXHIBITION:
WORLD AS COLLAGE & FURTHER EXTRAPOLATIONS /
A VILÁG MINT KOLLÁZS ÉS TOVÁBBI EXTRAPOLÁCIÓK

October 20 – December 15, 2022
Ferencvárosi Historical Museum
18 Ráday Street 18 (entrance on 15 Erkel Street)
Budapest 1092

Opening: Thursday, October 20, 2022
Remarks by István Sinkó, painter, art critic, President of the Society of Hungarian Painters
Performance by Endre Kértesz, cello
watch video of opening event here

Based on the World as Collage project completed in the spring of this year, a new series of mixed-media works was created in the very room in which the exhibition is currently displayed. During a three-week solo residency at the Ferencvárosi Historical Museum in Budapest’s ninth district, visitors stopped by to watch as the work unfolded in situ. This exhibition presents the 21 original double-sided collages, subsequent traced drawings and sixteen of the new eighteen double-sided works as well as visual documentation of the sequential process.

SOLO EXHIBITION:
BOOK OF CHAOS / A KÁOSZ KÖNYVE

October 3rd – November 2nd, 2022
Open Workshop / Nyított Műhély
Ráth György Street 4
Budapest 1123

Opening: Monday, October 3rd, 2022. 7:00 PM
Remarks by Ferenc Takács, literary historian
Performance by guitarist Gábor Juhász
Watch video of opening event here.

GROUP EXHIBITION:
SHOW #51 – THE FRONT GALLERY

October 7th – 30th, 2022
The Front Gallery
6 Barre St., Montpelier, Vermont

Gallery Hours:
Fridays 4-7 pm
Saturdays and Sundays 11am – 5pm or by appointment
(802) 552-0877
info@thefrontvt.com

NEW GALLERY MEMBERSHIP & GROUP EXHIBITION:
SHOW #50 – THE FRONT GALLERY

August 5th – August 28th, 2022.
The Front Gallery
6 Barre St., Montpelier, Vermont

Now a member of this small, vibrant artist-run cooperative gallery, my work is in good company! This current group exhibition includes work by all 23 members.

Gallery Hours:
Fridays 4-7 pm
Saturdays and Sundays 11am – 5pm or by appointment
(802) 552-0877
info@thefrontvt.com

~~TRUTHS FROM THE BUNKER~~
Indefinitely postponed due to problems in The Bunker. That’s the way things go these days. Would have been an interesting venue, perhaps another time!

October 2nd – October 30th, 2022
Bakáts Bunker – Underground Kulturális Tér / Underground Cultural Space
1092 Budapest, Bakáts tér 1.

GROUP EXHIBITION:
CITY PICTURE / VÁROS-KÉP KIÁLLÍTÁS
SOCIETY OF HUNGARIAN PAINTERS JURIED EXHIBITION

May 6th – June 10th, 2022
A Vértes Agorája Contemporary Gallery
Cultural Center of Tatabánya
Tatabánya, Szent Borbála Tér 1.

Opening: Friday, May 6th, 5:00pm.
Remarks by Eszter Molnár, art historian

A new photomontage, “A Város (City at War – I)” finally made it to Budapest after an inexplicably tortuous adventure in the depths of the Budapest Customs facilities! It joins the works of 53 Hungarian artists in this juried members exhibition. Another art event experienced in abstentia. My work is happy to be among colleagues!

WORLD AS COLLAGE PROJECT:
2022 MARCH ARTS MARATHON
CENTRAL VERMONT REFUGEE ACTION NETWORK
Visit my CVRAN page HERE

This community fundraiser aims to give succor to current and future asylum seekers in Central Vermont. Looking back at our own family histories, many of us came from the “Old” to the “New” world as penniless immigrants and refugees as well, who with the help of others went on to establish lives and raise future generations. Now it’s our turn.

Lend a hand to the newcomers in our midst and in return for your support, be my virtual studio guest during the entire month March! Receive daily emailed posts of new and developing visual pieces; poems, thoughts and musings; music and history. In short, I offer you a month of virtual “visits” to my studio via image, word and sound!

So far the WORLD AS COLLAGE PROJECT has eighteen sponsors.
Great thanks to all the friends and donors for their support

Darryl Bloom
Kate Burnim
Deborah Davidson
Wendy Derevensky
Priscilla Fox
Dovid Fried
Lew Friedland
Carol Friedman
Laura Gurton
Ellien P. Hayes
Michelle Lesnak
Kenneth MacInnes
Shana Margolin
Phyllis Rubenstein
Sally Seymour
Walter and Laura Sophrin
Janet Van Fleet
Lynn Wild

GROUP EXHIBITION:
MIRROR EXHIBITION / TÜKÖR KIÁLLÍTÁS
SOCIETY OF HUNGARIAN PAINTERS JURIED EXHIBITION

October 22nd – November 13th, 2021
Újpest Gallery
Budapest. Árpád Boulevard 66.

Opening: Friday, October 22nd, 6:00pm.
Remarks by Henrik László (Ludwig Museum)

My newest piece, Mirror Test/Tükör Teszt has made it to Budapest in three days, to take its place alongside works by 78 Hungarian artists in this latest juried exhibition of the Society’s members.

GROUP EXHIBITION:
ANTICIPATION – STELLA QUARTA DECIMA

August 13 – October 31, 2021
Stella Quarta Decima Gallery
3568 Main St., Manchester, Vermont.

This Inaugural Exhibition of SQD Gallery features works by Vermont artists Matthew Monk, James Rauchman, Hannah Morris, Diane Sophrin, Kate Burnim, and Lynn Newcomb.

Sharon Butler reviews the show in her award-winning NYC art blogazine Two Coats of Paint. “Thinking beyond New York City” can be read HERE.

VIRTUAL STUDIO VISIT and LECTURE:
WORKING THROUGH OUR PLAGUES – RECENT PAINTINGS BY DIANE SOPHRIN
BETH JACOB SYNAGOGUE EVENTS PROGRAM

ZOOM presentation: Sunday, May 23rd, 2021.
Beth Jacob Synagogue, Montpelier, Vermont.

Watch the recorded ZOOM event: HERE

I have worked a great deal over this past year; that effort serving as both anchor and compass during these challenging times! Now it’s a pleasure to be able to share this recent work. Join me in my studio via Zoom to see and learn about this new body of work.

GROUP EXHIBITION:
WINDOWS & DOORS EXHIBITION / AJTÓ, ABLAK KIÁLLÍTÁS
SOCIETY OF HUNGARIAN PAINTERS JURIED EXHIBITION

April 22 – May 10, 2021
FUGA – Budapest Center of Architecture

Online opening: April 23rd, 2021
Remarks by Ferenc Matits, art historian
Musical performance by István Grencsó
Stream live or watch afterwards on the FUGA You Tube channel HERE:

View online exhibition catalog: HERE.

Yet another trans-Atlantic voyage for my works, yet another exhibition filled with new and exciting works by my Hungarian colleagues and friends but empty of the artists themselves. The same creative impulse that impels the Society, its president Albert Kováts and the members to continue working and exhibiting is what inspired me to make my latest Ajtó, ablak pieces and ship them halfway across the world to Budapest. FUGA is a great place and is doing a wonderful job documenting and presenting all their current events – lectures, concerts and art exhibitions.

NEW GALLERY REPRESENTATION:
SQD GALLERY

A new regional gallery, SQD GALLERY (Stella Quarta Decima) has opened its virtual doors, with actual exhibitions in the works for this coming summer. Founder and curator Benjamin Ward has chosen six Vermont artists to represent. I am pleased to be among them and a part of this new initiative.

Visit the SQD website HERE to view the work and learn about the gallery and artists.

GROUP EXHIBITION:
PART > WHOLE EXHIBITION / RÉSZ > EGÉSZ KIÁLLÍTÁS
SOCIETY OF HUNGARIAN PAINTERS JURIED EXHIBITION

October 16 – November 15, 2020
Vértes Agorája Modern Art Gallery
Szent Borbála tér 1, Tatabánya

My latest collage pieces Spherical Fragments remarkably made it to Budapest in three days where they joined the works of 46 Hungarian colleagues in the public gallery of the City Art Center of Tatabánya, not far from Budapest. In the midst of the pandemic this group exhibition opened, with commentary offered by Balázs Feledy, art critic and writer.

GROUP EXHIBITION:
HORIZON EXHIBITION / HORIZONT KIÁLLÍTÁS
SOCIETY OF HUNGARIAN PAINTERS JURIED EXHIBITION

September 25 – October 24, 2020
Érdi Gallery
Alsó Street 2, Érd

View online exhibition catalog: HERE

What a world! I remain embedded for better and for worse here in Vermont. Nevertheless, my work, the first of the Spheres of Destiny series made expressly for this exhibit, was submitted digitally as usual, accepted by the jury, and shipped via FedEx to Budapest where it joins the works of 49 Hungarian colleagues in the public gallery of Érd, just outside Budapest.

UPCOMING SOLO EXHIBITION:
SMALL BOOK OF CHAOS / A KÁOSZ KIS KÖNYVE

RESCHEDULED FOR FALL, 2021!
originally scheduled: April 28 – May 30, 2020
Open Workshop / Nyított Műhély
Ráth György Street 4
Budapest 1123

On March 17, 2020, the Corona Virus descended upon the world. Borders closed and flights were cancelled. I never left Vermont. As of January 9, 2021, the situation continues to worsen and travel remains impossible. This exhibition has just been postponed again and is now tentatively re-scheduled for the Fall of 2021!

GROUP EXHIBITION:
HOLIDAY EXHIBITION / ÜNNEP KIÁLLÍTÁS
SOCIETY OF HUNGARIAN PAINTERS JURIED EXHIBITION

2019. november 14 – december 20.
Városi Könyvtár és Galéria, Szigetszentmiklós

View online exhibition catalog: HERE

INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION:
ReVISION: ART AT THE KENT

September 6 – October 6, 2019
Kent Museum, Kents’ Corner, Calais, Vermont

SOLO EXHIBITION:
PRESENT CONTINUOUS: COMMENTARY AND FORM

May 14 – June 29, 2019
Studio Place Arts Third Floor Gallery
201 North Main Street, Barre, VT 05641

GROUP EXHIBITION:
ISLAND EXHIBITION / SZIGET KIÁLLÍTÁS
SOCIETY OF HUNGARIAN PAINTERS JURIED EXHIBITION

November 6 – 27, 2018
Vízivárosi Gallery
Kapás Street 55
Budapest 1027

View online exhibition catalog: HERE

SOLO EXHIBITION:
WETTED SCROLL SERIES – J.LANGDON EXHIBITION

September 7 – September 30, 2018
J.Langdon Art & Antiques
Montpelier, Vermont 05602

GROUP EXHIBITION:
TELL ME

May 22 – June 30, 2018
Studio Place Arts
201 North Main Street
Barre, VT 05641

SOLO EXHIBITION:
PRESENT CONTINUOUS / FOLYAMATOS JELEN

April 13th – May 15th, 2018
Open Workshop (Nyitott Muhely)
Ráth György Street 4
Budapest 1123

GROUP EXHIBITION:
IN MEMORY OF GÁBOR KARÁTSON / KARÁTSON GÁBOR EMLÉKEZETE
SOCIETY OF HUNGARIAN PAINTERS JURIED EXHIBITION

MAY 3 – 21, 2018
FUGA – Budapest Center of Architecture

View online exhibition catalog: HERE

GROUP EXHIBITION:
WHITE PAINTINGS / FEHÉR KÉPEK
SOCIETY OF HUNGARIAN PAINTERS JURIED EXHIBITION

November 16 – December 7. 2017
City Library and Gallery
Szigetszentmiklós

View online exhibition catalog: HERE

GROUP EXHIBITION:
GARDEN OF EXILE / A SZÁMŰZÖTT PARKJA
SOCIETY OF HUNGARIAN PAINTERS JURIED EXHIBITION

October 5th – 28th, 2017
Széphárom Community Center
Budapest

View online exhibition catalog: HERE

SOLO EXHIBITION:
DIANE SOPHRIN: NEW WORKS AND FREE ASSOCIATIONS
DIALOGS WITH ATTILA JÓZSEF

September 14th – October 14th, 2017
Ferencvárosi Historical Museum
18 Ráday Street 18 (entrance on 15 Erkel Street)
Budapest 1092

FÉSZEK ARTISTS’ CLUB MEMBERSHIP:

Diane Sophrin is honored to be accepted as a member of this creative arts organization for painters, architects, sculptors, musicians, singers and actors. Read more here and here about this historically significant Hungarian creative arts organization founded in Budapest in 1901.

FÉSZEK ARTISTS' CLUB

WHITE PAINTINGS / FEHÉR KÉPEK
SOCIETY OF HUNGARIAN PAINTERS JURIED EXHIBITION

November 16 – December 7. 2017
City Library and Gallery
Szigetszentmiklós

View online exhibition catalog: HERE

GROUP EXHIBITION:
GARDEN OF EXILE / A SZÁMŰZÖTT PARKJA
SOCIETY OF HUNGARIAN PAINTERS JURIED EXHIBITION

October 5th – 28th, 2017
Széphárom Community Center
Budapest

View online exhibition catalog: HERE

SOLO EXHIBITION:
DIANE SOPHRIN: NEW WORKS AND FREE ASSOCIATIONS
DIALOGS WITH ATTILA JÓZSEF

September 14th – October 14th, 2017
Ferencvárosi Historical Museum
18 Ráday Street 18 (entrance on 15 Erkel Street)
Budapest 1092

FÉSZEK ARTISTS’ CLUB MEMBERSHIP:

FÉSZEK ARTISTS' CLUB

GARDEN OF EXILE EXHIBITION

Posted on October 23, 2017July 24, 2018 Tagged Diane Sophrin, exile, Magyar Festők Társasága, Society of Hungarian Painters, Száműzött parkja, Széphárom Community Center, Széphárom Közösségi TérLeave a comment

The Garden of Exile (see catalog here) juried exhibition of the Hungarian Painters’ Association opened on October 5th at the Széphárom Community Center in the heart of Budapest and runs through October 28th.

The practice of giving theme to juried and group exhbitions is not uncommon here in Hungary, offering creative challenge and stimulus to participating artists and a unifying narrative and conceptual thread for the viewing audience to follow.

The exhibit title Garden of Exile (Száműzött Parkja), refers to a romantic, allegorical landscape painting of the same name by the mid-19th century Hungarian painter Gusztáv Kelety, now in the permanent collection of the Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest. While this painting references a particular moment in Hungarian history, the title offers a broad, contemporary theme to be explored by participating artists.

My newest Exile Series, completed in response to this exhibition theme, reflects a personal exploration of the concept of exile at this very moment in history when definitions of identity and assertions of exclusion rear themselves up in inflamed political contexts and when human beings are yet again being torn, thrust, and thrown asunder as they flee for their lives. Embedded in this theme is of course the resonance of previous world conflagrations and an even more ancient Exodus. The entire series, and related written text can be found here.