Interview
Robert Czibi
Robert Czibi is a Roma artist who migrated from Hungary to London in 2010 and contributed to the capital’s art scene since his arrival. He started painting in the early 90’s, while studying and working at the Open Studio Art Foundation of Varosliget in Budapest. In 2004, following Hungary’s EU accession, he traveled to Greece and Cyprus, and worked in Athens and Crete.
He returned to Central Europe for his first solo exhibition at the Goethe Institute in Budapest.
Alongside watercolour, chalk and acrylic, his current interests include image transfer and collage techniques. His works have been exhibited at the UCL Festival of Culture in London, at New York University, as well as Kai Dikhas Gallery in Berlin.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am a Roma artist who was born in Hungary, and have been based in London since 2010. I began to paint in the early 90’s when I was trained in an open art foundation for several years. In the following years, I participated in various art projects and workshops in Hungary. During this period I was influenced by a Roma art group, where I started to focus on issues of ethnicity, identity and values of Roma culture.
After spending some time in Greece and Crete, I migrated to London where I contribute to the capital’s art scene from the outset, and started to build my network with Roma organisations, such as the Roma Support Group. Currently I still provide illustrations for materials produced by the charity, and have worked as an Artist in Residence at London’s Park Theatre.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“Many of my artworks reflect on the Roma heritage and culture as a narrative representation. My work aims to contribute to the emancipation in our community, and present the revolution that is taking place in our culture. My art primarily focuses on the history of Roma population, taking into consideration the recent sociopolitical effects on the community. These include persecution, criminalisation and a constant struggle for Roma, Gypsy and Traveler people throughout history. This summer, I supported rallies and demonstrations against the eradication of the nomadic way of life in the UK, and depicted some of the epic moments of the movement.”
Which current art world trends are you following?
“I’m following many contemporary artists working with watercolours, and also artists using mixed media art techniques, as these are my preferred media for expression. I like to be inspired by culture and traditions which help us rediscover lost heritage, and push us to educate ourselves more on humanity.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“I sometimes improvise in my creative process, but most of the time I do in depth preparation and thinking beforehand. I’m constantly taking random photos of my environment, using them as inspiration. I also search for images in magazines or social media for my current art projects. I like to sketch my ideas on paper before producing the final image.”
“My art provides me with a lot of joy and creative energy. It gives me an opportunity to reflect on my environment and challenging others. Seeing something in a particular way, means you are making it your own. You live through it.”
What process, materials, techniques, etc., do you use to create your artwork?
“My art, for the most part, continues to reflect Roma heritage and folklore. During a mixed media art course in college, I began to explore a different form of expression, using image transfer and watercolour combined on paper. I often apply patterns and artefacts from the traditional Roma culture into contexts which lie beyond what is usually understood by, and expected of, Roma art. This is an exploration of the borrow-ability of elements of culture across real-life and artistic contexts, images and media.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“When I complete a new artwork and feel satisfied with it, that is my favourite work for that time. I’m currently working on a series of four pieces about seasons, represented by young Roma men. My favourite is autumn, as I executed many of the technical challenges I face when working.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“My latest exhibition was the World Roma Congress Art Exhibition. This was held to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the 1st World Roma Congress which took place in London in 1971. The group exhibition was held at the 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning Gallery in Brixton, in 2021. The exhibition moved to Berlin’s Gallery of the Foundation Kai Dikhas towards the end of that year.
You can read about it here.”
