Emő Simonyi’s painting is a mythologically inspired, expressive work of art, whose central motif is a crawling creature carved into the rock in the form of a monster with its mouth open. For the artist, classical mythology is not only a source of inspiration, but also a dynamic framework in which historical facts and myths interweave to create new meanings. Simonyi’s interpretation emphasises the permanent presence of archetypal motifs, while reinterpreting them to create a message that is valid in a contemporary context. Her painting offers a unique synthesis of the interweaving of past and present: her works are visual manifestations of mythological creatures and the world of the unconscious, challenging traditional moral dichotomies. The figures she creates, whether playful, grotesque or provocative, are beyond the notions of good and evil and proclaim the freedom of the imagination. The mythical sculptures in Bomarzo’s mannerist Sacro Bosco park are a fundamental source of inspiration for Simonyi’s work. The symbolism of the park and the narratives it contained offered her not only visual elements, but also formed the basis of a deeper dialogue. During a one-month symposium in 1988, Simonyi visited the park several times, and her work was recognised with a City Award that year.
Julia Fabényi