Szilvia Ponyiczki
My artistic journey has been a deep exploration of the collective unconscious, a realm that connects the individual's psyche to the shared symbolism of our ancestors. I am fascinated by the common threads that run through cultures and histories, revealing our shared humanity. This initial journey into the depths of the psyche led me to delve further into the historical visual representations of the unconscious, primarily found in alchemical manuscripts and the creation stories of mankind. This expedition confirmed Jung’s theory: the symbolic language through which our unconscious communicates is universal, a language rooted in the experiences of our ancestors. In response to this revelation, I created a unique visual language - a library of biomorphic hieroglyphs. These shapes are predominantly hybrids, born from the fusion of elements of my personal dreamscapes and of ancient symbols from artifacts and archaic manuscripts. They represent a visual narrative that not only reflects the rich tapestry of human history, but also serves as a bridge between the inner world of the individual and the collective reservoir of human experience. My work is a testament to the interplay between the conscious and unconscious, the personal and the universal. It is an artistic endeavour that seeks to unravel the mysteries of our shared heritage, giving voice to the silent echoes of our ancestors and fostering the profound connection between past, present, and future. Through these biomorphic hieroglyphs, I invite viewers to embark on their own journey of self-discovery and exploration of the timeless secrets of the human psyche.
EDUCATION
MFA (Fine Art) - Nottingham Trent University, UK. 2016 - 2020
Catharsis Complex Art Therapy, LEA, Budapest, Hungary. 2019-ongoing
MBA, Human Management - Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary. 2004 - 2008
MSc (Arch) - Budapest University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture, Hungary. 1992 - 1997
AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
2024 – Claire Peasnall Memorial Painting Award, St Hugh’s Foundation (UK)
2024 - National Cultural Fund of Hungary Grant (Hungary)
2022 - Develop Your Creative Practice Grant, Arts Council England (UK)
2021 - Leicester Print Workshop Residency, lead artist: George Sfougaras (UK)
2020 - Irene Fund Grant, Champernowne Trust (UK)
2018 - MMA (Hungarian Academy of Arts) special professional award, winner of the X. National Exhibition of Grotesque Fine and Applied Arts (Hungary)
2018 - NTU MA Mastered Exhibition marketing campaign MFA winner (UK)
2018 - ExperiMentor residency 'Orbit' programme, New Art Exchange (UK)
2017 - Lichfield Prize, finalist (UK)
2017 - NTU MA Mastered Exhibition marketing campaign MFA winner (UK)
2016 - NTU Postgraduate Scholarship (UK)
RECENT EXHIBITIONS
2025
Exhibition of the Érd Collective: Cross-Section, Liszt Institute, London
solo show, Myths and Dreams - Beyond Time, Harding House Gallery, Lincoln
MFT group exhibition of the Uzsa art residency, Museum Gallery, Budapest
group exhibition of the Hungarian Artists in the World Association (MKVE), Csallóközi Museum, Dunaszerdahely, Slovakia
upcoming - solo show at Willoughby Gallery, Corby Glen
2024
LAS exhibition, Usher Gallery, Lincoln
'Time Stamp' group show, Surface Gallery, Nottingham
solo show, Beeston Library, Nottingham
solo show, St. Martins Gallery, Lincoln
solo show 'Time Immemorial', Newark Town Hall Museum & Art Gallery
LAS exhibition, Doddington Hall
MFT group exhibition, Heraklion Municipal Art Gallery , Basilica of Saint Markou, Heraklion, Greece
Helping Artists Keep Going
Axis is an artist-led charity supporting contemporary visual artists with resources, connection, and visibility.