Magyar News, 1998. szeptember-1999. augusztus (9. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1998-12-01 / 4. szám
IBOLYA CSONKA, ICON PAINTEFT ^ An exhibit of ecclesiastical ait, representing a thousand years of Hungarian history, opened at the Queen Gizella Museum at Veszprém in May this year. In addition to Mass vestments, chalices and other liturgical objects, there were panel paintings by Ibolya Csonka, an artist who spent most of her life teaching, and only in the last ten years has been able to devote herself entirely to her early love: painting. Ibolya lias specialized in painting icons, some in the traditional style, others with a more modem touch. Of the 15 shades of blue, experts say ice blue is next to impossible to work with. Yet one unique Mother of God icon Ibolya painted is done entirely in ice blue. When she finished the first variation of this painting, she knew this was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. As she relates it, her friends thought she had gone crazy: "What do you want to do with your icons under this regime?" That was at the end of the '80's. Fortunately for her and for lovers of religious art, the political situation has changed since then Ibolya had shown artistic talent at an early age, and received her first training from her father, an artist. But her parents could not afford to send her to art school. Instead, she went to kindergarten teachers' training college, and became director of the kindergarten set up for the professors' children at Veszprém University. Helping her along the way in her painting was an assignment her father, a retired master painter, received, to restore the Karoly Church in Veszprém. Working alongside him provided encouragement for Ibolya. (The Holy Father sent them his personal thanks and blessing for the restoration work). Now, Ibolya attends the artists' colony at Gyula every year. It's a place to experiment, to try new art forms and styles. She is a member of the National Fine Arts Society, and lias had 46 exhibitions and over 400 artworks in eight years. In addition to icons, Ibolya Csonka also paints typical Hungarian landscapes, some elements of which are on the verge of disappearing. Such are her small, framed oil paintings depicting old thatch-roofed houses. She also has depicted the windows of the Reformed church of Marosvásárhely, retelling the story of the "White Lady of Lőcse" in three panels. Still life paintings in the pointilist style of impressionism show her versatility. The panels depicting King St. Stephen and Blessed Queen Gizella were blessed at the exhibit's opening by retired Archbishop József Szendi of Veszprém. Ibolya donated one of her icons to the Orthodox Church of Gyula.There it is displayed for veneration by the faithful. As Ibolya tells it, she went to see her painting in the church. "I was rooted to the spot by emotion. The faithful were praying to my Mary! Seeking consolation, and hope, they were looking at the painting with devotion. I was filled with immeasurable happiness. In those few moments I felt I had given something to my fellow human beings. I felt I had not lived in vain." Erika Papp Faber For more info call: Phone: 203-579-8845 Top: A traditional icon painted with brown colors. Above.Gizella holding the church of Veszprém, an icon in stained glass manner. Left:Ibolya Csonka in her studio. The facing wall shows some of her icons. Others are a variety of different painting styles. Page 3
