Marton Szabo was born in 1968 in Budapest, Hungary. A prolific and adventurous painter, he has exhibited almost every year of the last two decades.  He also has works in several private collections. In 2016, Marton decided to explore the USA, and chose Philadelphia as his second home, where he now lives.

Trained classically at the University of Fine Art in Budapest, Marton brings fresh approaches to the use of materials--improvising his own blend of oil and tempera--and the paintings created from his photographs are populated with individuals eager to share their unique stories.

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Artist Statement

During my studies I placed a great emphasis on anatomical knowledge. This is a strong tradition going back to Jeno Barcsay, who created the most modern anatomical atlas for artists of his time. I studied the classic European painting techniques and materials, spending a lot of time with restorers.  These experiences encouraged me to experiment widely with materials, and in the last couple of years, I have been using a unique oil-tempera mix.  It is essentially a modern version of the great masters’ media.  I never use a projector, always drawing free-hand and most of my paintings are based on my own photos.

Representation of humans is the cornerstone of my art.  I have been described by my master Lajos Svaby (former President of University of Fine art Budapest and Professor of Kingston University in London) as a psychological painter, and it is true that in my work, I tell stories to people about people beyond words.  With gestures, colors and faces I create a metaphysical world.

Education: 1991-1996 University of Fine Arts, Budapest – Painter
                  Master: Lajos Sváby
                  1997 University of  Fine Arts, Budapest, Master course



Exhibitions



Solo exhibitions

2019 Untold Stories, Lehner Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

2018 Nice to Meet You!, Camden FireWorks Gallery, Camden NJ, USA

2015 Children of the city,  Atelier Pro Art / A.P.A. Gallery, Budapest ,Hungary

2015 little dogs - BIG DOGS, Drunken Tailor, Budapest, Hungary

2014 The days of penitence,  K.A.S. Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

2013 Little dreamers, Pepita Ofelia Art Bar, Budapest, Hungary

2013 Playstation, Klauzal13 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

2012 Inglorious Secret, Pepita Ofelia Art Bar, Budapest, Hungary

2009 Poor child’s laments, Lehner Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

2008 Color scale, Theatre Festival, Balatonföldvár, Hungary

2007 Mickey’s homecoming,  Art9 Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

2006 Under Construction / Touring Exhibition

         Galleria U, Helinki, Finnland

         Joensuu Art Museum, Joensuu, Finnland

         Balassi Institute, Tallin, Estonia

         Hungarian Cultural Institute, Brussels, Belgium

2005 Automedia, K.A.S. Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

2004 Dream theater, K.A.S. Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

2001 North and South, K.A.S. Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

1999 Fészek Gallery, Budapest, Hungary



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Group exhibitions

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2021 Annual Benefit Art Auction 2021 / The Inliquid Gallery,  Philadelphia, PA, USA

2020 Germantown Photo Show, iMPeRFecT Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, USA

         Gallery Opening Exhibition / The One Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, USA

         JCDecaux Street Art / Budapest, HU

2019 Hungarian Cultural Institute, Helsinki, Finland       

         8th Annual Germantown Show, iMPeRFecT Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, USA

         Changing Places II / Centru de Interes, Cluj Napoca, Romania

         Preparing for the darkness, Vol 3: I’m Not There / Kühlhaus Berlin, Berlin, Germany

2018 America Undone, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Philadelphia, USA 

        7th Annual Germantown Show, iMPeRFecT Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, USA

        Who. Are. You?, Atlantic Gallery, New York, USA 

        Constructing a Body, The Inliquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, USA 

        Outside In, The Inliquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, USA 

        The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA

        New and Now, The Inliquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, USA 

2017 6th Annual Germantown Show, iMPeRFecT Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, USA

         Dog Days of Summer,  Camden FireWorks, Camden, NJ, USA

2015 Contemporaries: Collectors and Artists – Hungarian and International Art from Private               Collections in Hungary, 2010–2014 / New Budapest Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

2012 Celebration of Hungarian Fine Art Painting / Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest, HU

         White Money, Liget Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

2011 Hybridity In The Carpathians  - The Irokez Collecion and the regime change / MODEM,             Debrecen, HU

2010 Artfanatics, Palace of Art, Budapest, Hungary

2008 Brotherhood?! Slovakian Institute, Budapest, Hungary

2007  Uncut Version / Ernst Museum, Budapest, Hungary

2006 SideMen, 7 Hungarian artists, Körzőgyár, Budapest, Hungary

2005 European Council, Brussels, Belgium

2003 Hungarian Cultural Institute, Berlin, Germany

         Painting Biennal / Väsby Konsthall, Infra Gallery / Stockholm, Sweden

1999 Black Money Polish Institute, Budapest, Hungary

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Public projects

2009-2010 Green Pyramid Mural project  in  Zoo of Nyiregyháza

2005 New York Palace restoration (walls, frescos, murals) - Budapest

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