István DUKAI (1987, Zenta, Yugoslavia)
is a graphic and visual artist currently living and working in Budapest, Hungary. He is a leading graphic designer and art director for several European based fashion and designer brands. His work can be found in several important private collections. His art is rooted in the geometric tradition, in the philosophy of constructivism, in op-art, but most of all in minimal art. The basic principle of his compositions is reductionism, based on the stylization of natural elements into geometric forms and the varied ways in which these elements are combined. His art merges the sensuousness of fine arts with the complexity of architecture and the systematic approach of design.

The young artist’s visual world has been influenced by art movements and their representatives, such as constructivism, concrete art, minimal art, op-art and the Bauhaus. The materials, processes and colours are the hallmarks of the work of many artists. But this is particularly true of Dukai, whose art lends strength to even the most humble everyday materials. His work is characterised by craftsmanship, tactility and a remarkable use of unconventional materials. Dukai does not use a brush, but intervenes in other ways with forgotten materials full of stories: burlap, rusted steel sheets. In addition, his practice reinterprets the traditional frameworks of classical graphic techniques such as silkscreen, collography and woodcut.

His work combines the sensuality of fine art with the complexity of architecture and a systematic approach to design. His professional knowledge of materials leads him to experiment boldly with them, and exciting material combinations culminate in a constructivist visual world of subdued colour and culminate in finished works.

Dukai’s best-known material is natural hand-woven linen, used in peasant cultures and tanned with plants collected by the artist, which he transforms into images using various graphic techniques, printing technology and traditional fabric painting processes. He cuts, tears and sews the canvas, which he obtains from country houses and antique dealers, making it simultaneously a material, a medium and a subject. Black bands of varying thickness are applied on this surface, which follow or intersect each other in clean geometric shapes. In his work, sharply geometric shapes and curved lines alternate, and these interfering motifs create illusions, ambiguity and a sense of movement and flicker. He then subjects the materials to a traditional tanning process, which he boils in a large cauldron with ripe elderberries, stalked oak fruit, coffee grounds and black tea leaves. After drying, the creations reach their final, coloured, mature form.

By juxtaposing found iron sheets and canvas materials, the layered appearance of the works blurs the boundaries between painting, relief and sculpture. Dukai’s poetic works can also be seen as a manifestation of the inherent beauty of natural, ephemeral materials, but behind them lies a rigorous compositional structure that contrasts with the mundane transience of the chosen media and hints at the art historical influences already mentioned.

Zita Sarvari – aesthete, curator (Heart&Cherry)

CV

 

2023
CONTRASTS – Solo Show (Radiations Exhibition)
Curated by Matyas Kalman, Daniel Besnyo
INOTA Audiovisual Festival – Inota

SHINE ON ME LIKE IT’S NOTHING
Duo Show w. Bence Magyarlaki, Curated by Zita Sarvari
Heart&Cherry – Hungarian Photographic Association – Budapest

2024
TACTICAL – Solo Show, Curated by Gabor Rieder
Artkartell Projectspace – Budapest

SYMMETRY SYMPTOMS – Solo Show
Presented by: Telekom Electronic Beats
Kisnana Castle

CHERRY-PICKING – Group Show, Curated by Zita Sarvari
Heart&Cherry x HybridArt – Jokai 7 – Mindszentkalla

NUBU x ISTVAN DUKAI SS25 Collection – Fashion Show
Budapest Central European Fashion Week
Presented by: Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency – Budapest

CHERRY BLOSSOM – Group Show, Curated by Zita Sarvari
Heart&Cherry – Duna Muzeum – Esztergom

EST/QUEST 2. – Group Show, Curated by Bogumila Strojna
Abstract Project Gallery x K28 Gallery – Paris

NEW WORKS – STUDIO VISIT – Solo Show, Curated by Zita Sarvari
Heart&Cherry x Horda Art Collective – Budapest

2025
INTERFERENCE – Solo Show, Curated by Zita Sarvari
APOLLO Gallery – Corvin Palace – Budapest

BUDAPEST SELECT – VVOVEN VIEW – Group Show
Presented by: Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency
Curated by Angela Gog, Barna Erdesz
Milan Design Week – Milan

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

DESIGNBOOM: HFDA selects 24 hungarian designers to explore
AI’s role in craft at Milan’s 5VIE district – Text: Erini Ilia

InStyle Cool list: 10 EXCITING HUNGARIAN ARTISTS – Interview
Text: Zsofi Kalman

INSIGHTS OF AN ECO ARTIST – Interview
Text: Joana Alarcão

GLAMOUR+ Interview – Text: Franciska Rozs

OCTOGON Magazin – Interview
Text: Farkas-Zentai Lili, Gollob Lilla

„Slow dance, accelerating rhythms, flowing gestures ”
An article by Katica Kocsis for Artkartell Magazine

LONGITUDINES Issue One – Interview

Altyba9 Magazine Issue 8 – Interview
Curated by: Mohamed Benhadj

ART SEEN Magazine – The Curator’s Salon – Interview
Curated by: Gita Joshi

PS Magazine – Interview – Words: Orsolya Strasser 

CURATORY Magazine Issue 2 – Interview

DIVIDE MAGAZINE Issue 13 – Interview

VISUAL ART JOURNAL Magazine Issue 22 – Interview
Text: Anna Gvozdeva

SELECTED ART FAIRS

Affordable Art Fair Vienna,  Accessible Art Fair x SM Art Advisory,
Budapest Contemporary, Art&Antique Budapest