Istvan Zsako

Zsako has been a self-employed sculptor since graduating from the University of Fine Arts in Budapest. In university, he was trained in forming life-size, clay statues after live models, followed by making plaster and rubber moulds and casting bronze sculptures up to 20 kg (50 lb). In his graduate year, he created a 50 cm (20") high bronze bust, currently in the collection of the National Gallery in Budapest.
Between 1984 and 1987, his sculptures were exhibited in Budapest, Munich, Moscow and Rome.
Shortly after moving to New Brunswick in 1988, the NB Arts Board awarded Zsako a Creation Grant, enabling him to cast a series of warrior figures in bronze. His work attracted the attention of The Ministry of Culture, who eventually acquired several of his artworks, depositing them in provincial museums across the country.
In 1999, David Suzuki and The Nature of Things did a segment on Zsako, where they visited his studio and filmed his works. The project was aired on CBC television and seen by viewers around the world, resulting in feedback to the artist from Switzerland, Hungary and Australia.
Zsako maintains a good connection with the Hungarian art-world, where he continues to have solo exhibitions and participate in group shows.
His latest exhibitions were held in Chelsea, NY and London, UK.

Artist Statement

In the history of European Art, the naked human figure became customary since the Greco-Roman era. Nude sculptures are in public parks, on the façades of civic buildings, in museums; even the Pope's chapel is full with painted naked men and women. When I was an art-student, humanism and the human figure were the base of training, from high school to university; it’s no wonder my figures match this tradition; mellow women, determined warriors, and different animals. Miro, Picasso, and Moore were always my favorite artists.

Recently, my interest has turned to the celestial bodies; how big are they, how heavy, how fast, how far are they, evolved from what and how? et cetera. I visualize those existing issues in drawings and paintings. My main sources of inspiration are Stephen Hawking, Carl Sagan and The Universe series from The History Channel.

In 1988, I came to Canada with my wife, Anna Torma, and two sons, Balint (9) and David (5). We settled down in Hamilton, Ontario. In 2002, I moved to Baie Verte with Anna where we continue to live today.