Interview
Katalin Franciska Löwy
Born in Budapest, Hungary, Katalin was intrigued by the visual arts and expressed creativity at an early stage. Photography became the stepping stone to witch she would be recognised for her astounding ability in composition. In 1969, Katalin received an honors degree from Central Technical School in Toronto, Ontario. Katalin credits both Verginnia Luz and Doris McCarthy for providing her with direction. It was then that Katalin realized her abilities were best displayed working in the watercolor medium and Newfoundland landscapes. In 1993, Katalin achieved success in winning the honors for the Annual juried exhibition Award of the Etobicoke Art Group. Her well renowned watercolor of Trinity Bay Newfoundland was displayed and purchased by Mr. John Hastings MPP of Etobicoke. Katalin has exhibited her works in various galleries throughout Toronto and Oakville.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My father left my home country in 1949 as because he saw no future in the country or work. He went to Canada and he said as soon as he settled he would send for us. In 1956, the Hungarian Revolution started. I turned 8 years old and by now no one was allowed to leave the country. My father came to Vienna, Austria and hired a man to take us across the border to Austrian. There, I turned 9 and met my father for the first time. We emigrated to Canada in 1957 and as soon as my feet touch Canadian soil in Gander NFLD. I became a Canadian citizen after my father.
I arrived in Toronto and stayed at my aunt’s place at 10 years old. I was enrolled at Lansdown Public school Toronto only because I did not speak English. I advanced very quickly to grade 4. The only classes that I really liked were gym and art class. I knew then that I wanted to be an artist. What really changed for me was when I received a paint by number set. This was teaching me how to use color combinations shading from dark to light and I also got the idea of how perspective worked. On to bigger and better things. I was enrolled at Central Technical School Art department Toronto. The classes were very interesting like design, still life, life class with real models, Free pass to the ROM and AGO but the class that I really enjoyed was the illustration class. The teachers were all wonderful and they were artist as well. I purchased a 35mm camera and went to Sheridan Collage for the Applied Arts for a photography course TO.
I also joined the Neilson Park Art group just to showcase my work. This all paid off when we had a juried art show at the Etobicoke City Hall my painting of Trinity Bay NFLD. I won best in show but what top it all was that Mr. John Hastings who was MPP of Etobicoke bought the painting. At this show another artist noticed my painting and asked me if I would consider joining her art group and I said that I would think about it. She said even if you decide not to join would you consider doing a painting for the 50th. Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution, to which I said that that I would love to do. The illustration that I painted eventually went on display at Toronto City Hall for one week and then on to Metro Hall for 10 days with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary. This is when I decided to join The Hungarian Visual Artists of Canada.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“I do not like to mix art and politics as a rule. My art in general has a lot of beautiful architecture and landscapes and just places that I have been to and found to be of interest to other people. I want to capture the beauty of places like Newfoundland.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“There are times when I wake up in the middle of the night and something just pops into my mind and I have to go into the studio and just get a sketch or even a full painting done before I forget it. Mostly, I have a huge collection if photographs from all over the world that I can refer to. A great story that I might have read or a great song will start my imagination going.”
Are there any art world trends are you following?
“I do not follow trends but just might peak at what is trendy. I do look at a lot of art work on line just for ideas.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“In my studio, I usually start with an idea in my head of what I want to paint and I set the mood with music and it is usually classical especially if I am doing a landscape, still life or a portrait. If its an abstract the music changes to more of an up beat sound and the brush work becomes more free style and I could use a lot of texture and mixed media.”
“The Hungarian flag has meaningful symbolism. Red is for strength. White is for loyalty. Green is for hope.”
What does your art mean to you?
“My art comes from deep inside of me. Remembering the places that I have been and the beautiful and interesting things that I have seen and all the great people that I have met through my life. So, I have a few painting that I will never part with because they men that much to me.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“My favorite art work is the illustration that I did in grade ten at Central Tech. It was a book that my teacher red, called The Doll's House. This changed something inside of me as if I finally got it how to paint.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“In 2002, my work was showcased at the Anastasia Gallery Miniature Paintings exhibit in Oakville, ON. In 2006, I exhibited at the Juried art show for the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution at Toronto City Hall and Metro Hall, ON and in 2023, my work was showcased at the 24 art exhibit at the Hungarian Consulate, Toronto.”
Website: huvac.ca/members/katalin_lowy
Instagram: @LOWYKATALIN
