GRÓF Ferenc – GYENES Zsófia: (Dis)organigram – Association of Hungarian Fine and Industrial Artists, 2022

130 x 190 cm, hand-stitched carpet

The Association of Hungarian Fine and Applied Artists with its numerous departments was founded in 1949, as a result of a complete reorganisation of the Hungarian arts world during the Rákosi era. Its management was appointed by Communist Party leadership, usually from artists who sought to conform to the cultural policy of the time. The new Association’s tasks included organising the first nationwide “socialist realist” art exhibitions, “decentralising” the art scene, organising exhibitions and art events in the countryside, establishing a system of free art schools, and representing the artists who were registered as members in a quasi-union format. Following the 1956 Revolution, the organisation colloquially known as the “Association” was involved in putting together the legendary 1957 Spring Exhibition, which also showcased abstract and surrealist works. As a consequence, between 1957 and 1959 the Associations’ management was replaced and the organisation itself was restructured. Until 1989, it was overseen by the Ministry of Education. Following the change of regime, its monopoly ended, but its successor organisations are still in operation today.

The logo of the Association of Hungarian Fine and Applied Artists was designed by graphic artist GÁBOR PAPP.