Shah Gabriella: Csohány Galéria kiállítási katalógusa (Pásztó, 2003)
English
'Before the nightfalls, as is my custom, I take a glance at the Earth each day, as if I was the keeper of the World by my heart. And, what I see at such times l tell the ones, who never spare a moment to look around.' (Áron Tamási - Ethereal Intimation) The Fine Arts have moved to a new location in Pásztó. A building, built in 1870s, formerly school house later on a nursery school, hosts the new permanent fine arts exhibition of Csohány Gallery. More than 150 of Kálmán Csohány's works can be seen: etching, lithography, illustration and individual drawing connected to literary work, pottery and watercolour works. Kálmán Csohány was born in Pásztó. Even though he early drifted from his homeland, spiritually stayed at home. This adherence is growing from his products, and also the comprehension of his works is hiding in the land, from where he uprooted himself, but always carried within and returned to. By means of the works he describes the everyday life of the homeland, memories, the environment of the childhood and younger days. His 'atelier' was the inspiration of the woods and the birds at the foot Mountain Mátra. The history of the folks living here, their suppositions characterised his arts. The presence in everyday life became the source of an artistic experience in Csohány's hands. Csohány graduated in 1952 on the College of Fine Arts, at the faculty of graphics. Meanwhile several contemporaries turned to former times' masters to take inspiration and enthusiasm, Csohány found himself, his individual style in time. This style differed from the artistic idol of the age, indeed. He started his carrier with folk's ballads: he created illustrations for Hungarian folk ballads. Most of his works describes his beloved homeland, as he had his affection for Pásztó people, a fixation on Palóc Land. We can obtain an insight into the life of 'Acquaintance Faces' ('Ismerős arcok'), 'Folks of Pásztó' ('Pásztóiak'). His lines are simple, but as deep as the most honest face of the described ones can be revealed. With graphical warmness he tells tales with a about people approaching the Pásztó church, as well as of idly sitting ones in Bandula' Inn at Hódmezővásárhely. 'Csohány endeavours to present significant features when recalling the folks, lands, happenings and memories. Not the outer similarity that copies the individual faces, but the spirit, the mental habit that draws the lines of faces, that either sets or puts out the fire in the eyes. He builds up his freedom and poetry and ballad of longing, sparkling from his signature of the soul. He created such a guarding and intimate lyric world out of his Palóc Land childhood memories, which stands closer to nature than civilisation, since its 7
