Kiss Kunszt Gallery marks first anniversary with Naomi Devil exhibition in Szeged

NewsCulture

May 11

Kiss Kunszt Gallery in Szeged celebrated its first anniversary on Thursday, May 8, with the opening of Surreal Harvest, a solo exhibition by contemporary artist Naomi Devil – Noémi Ördög.

Art historian and curator Blanka Bán opened the exhibition, describing the show as “an opportunity to break away from the familiar and look at our world with fresh eyes.” In her remarks, she highlighted the artist’s playful yet respectful engagement with classical themes, noting that the paintings invite viewers into an ongoing dialogue between past and present.

Surreal Harvest features a selection of Devil’s recent figurative paintings, characterized by vivid colors, organic excesses, ironic and grotesque elements, and visual references to art history. The works include still lifes and portraits that reinterpret classical subjects in a contemporary visual language.

According to the artist’s statement, her creative process is rooted in extended series that develop from conceptual or technical innovation. By studying the techniques of earlier masters, she aims not only to expand her artistic tools but also to understand the mindset in which those artists worked. “My goal is to develop and reinterpret historical artistic perspectives to express what the concept of art means in the 21st century,” she wrote.

Devil’s academic background includes studies at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, the University of Applied Arts, and Vienna University of Technology. These experiences inform both the technical execution and conceptual depth of her work.