Budapest Metropolitan University students’ exhibition in Abu Dhabi

The Object Calligraphy exhibition of Budapest Metropolitan University was open to visitors at Etihad Modern Art Gallery (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates) from 15 November to 4 December 2022. The exhibition showcased the artworks of current and graduate students of Budapest Metropolitan University (METU). 

The concept of the exhibition was the sensitive yet conscious harmonization of calligraphy. The installation, consisting of fifteen works by eight current and former METU students, was designed by Hunor Árpád György, professor of the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries. The curator of the exhibition was professor Adél Kovács. 

The exhibition sought to bring the fields of design, craft and art closer together and to show the process leading to the finished artwork: a series of experiments, a long period of research, followed by the joy of execution, with which the young creators create something unique and unrepeatable.   



When asked what made the selected works unique and exceptional, Hunor Árpád György, the designer of the installation, said: "What makes these artworks worthy of being shown on an international stage are the outstanding answers to the individual and creative questions and propositions of the artists. Characteristic subject choices, experiments that push the boundaries, an encouraging start "  

Dr. Ágnes Tóth, President and CEO of Budapest Metropolitan University, gave a speech at the opening event of the exhibition, and the last day ended with a speech by Dr. Bálint Bachmann, Rector of the University. In her opening speech, Dr. Ágnes Tóth highlighted that METU's art education is currently the number one in the country in terms of the number of full-time students and the number of art courses available. 



„Sharing the artworks of our students and teachers within and outside of our country remains an important priority for our university. We believe that art is essential in every stage of life. It is an honor for our us to have the opportunity to represent Hungary in a renowned gallery such as Etihad Modern Art Gallery."- shared Dr. Ágnes Tóth at the opening ceremony of the exhibition. 

Featured artists of the Object Calligraphy exhibition 

The exhibition featured artworks made by current and alumni students of Budapest Metropolitan University. The eight featured student-artists were Jia Yu Wang, Annamária Kmetyó, Li Xinyue, Tekla Pécz, Zina Szabadszállási-Tóbi, Fanni Tóth, Viktor Varga and Noémi Wakabayashi. Their mentors were our professors Dr. Zsuzsanna Aranyosi, Hajnal Barát DLA, Anett Hajdú, Dóra Konsánszky, Adél Kovács, Nóra Juhász, Péter Pettendi Szabó, Orolya Poppre, Erika Rejka DLA and Viktória Zachar.  

It was a great honor for the young METU student-creators to have this opportunity to represent Hungary in a renowned gallery such as Etihad Modern Art Gallery. 

"Such an exhibition abroad puts the artists' work in context. In this debut, for example, works by artists such as Ilona Keserű and Imre Bak were exhibited in the same gallery." - shared Adél Kovács, the curator of the exhibition. 

The artists shared the following thoughts and feelings about the opportunity. 

"I am very grateful and happy to have been given such an opportunity. It is very motivating to put more effort into creating my work. It's a very good opportunity to get exposure and compete abroad." - Jia Yu Wang, Craftsmanship BA, fashion specialization 

"I am very happy and honored to have been selected for the exhibition. As an emerging designer, any opportunity like this is a great thing for me, as it helps me to get my name and my work in front of more people. My professors at the university help me a lot in this. They are constantly looking for opportunities where we can gain experience and work on as many real-life design projects as possible." - Fanni Tóth, Fashion and textile design MA 

"It's a special feeling to have my work and name on display so far away from home. I'm proud of my teachers for giving us these opportunities and for helping us be able to showcase our work outside Europe." - Annamária Kmetyó, Fashion and textile design MA 

"Being able to take part in the exhibition was a positive affirmation for me. It motivates me and gives me strength for my next artwork." - Noémi Wakabayashi, Craftsmanship BA, fashion and accessory specialization 

Learn more about the artworks on the official website of the exhibition or visit the art instagram page of Budapest Metropolitan University!