Step into the captivating world of Márton Szipál, the legendary Hungarian photographer whose lens captured not only faces but entire eras. Now, MODEM pays tribute to his extraordinary life and legacy with an immersive exhibition that reveals the man behind the camera and the timeless artistry he left behind.

About the artist:

Márton Szipál was born into a photography dynasty in Debrecen 101 years ago and his career spanned all the way to Los Angeles. He opened a studio called Martin Studio on Sunset Boulevard. He became the centre of social life, his house was open to everyone, everyone who mattered in any area of public life visited him. He became a well-known and sought-after photographer, he was called “Martin, the king”. He opened his first shop in Debrecen in 1946, and in 1954 he was a founding member of the Debrecen Association of Fine Photographers. In 1956 he emigrated and moved to the United States of America, where he became a sought-after photographer. His studio has hosted celebrities such as John Wayne, Tommy Lee Jones (actor), Leslie Nielsen (actor, comedian), Tracy Nelson (actor), Charlene Tilton (actress, singer), Olivia Hussey (actress, Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film Romeo and Juliet), Margaux Hemingway (model, granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway), Henry Miller (writer, painter), Timothy Hutton (American actor, film director), Priscilla Presley (actress) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (world-class basketball player). The images of them and the legendary stories associated with them are also part of his oeuvre.

About the exhibition:

The exhibition focuses on Szipál’s photographic work and his uniquely powerful personality. In addition, the curators show his life story and the decisive role of his parents through documents. They highlight his basic compositional principles, display his interiors created with special objects and lighting, the highlights and subtle harmonies that created the unique style of his works. In the exhibition space, they will not only show his studios, but also build one “on the Szipál model” to evoke for visitors what it was like to be in front of his camera.

The exhibition, organised based on the thematic units of Light-Life-Heritage, is supplemented by the topic of “Teaching”, which is not included in the title, which can also be interpreted as a kind of summary of his oeuvre and fundamentally determined Szipál’s activities after his return from Los Angeles. The presentation of the photographs in the space is also organised based on his principles of organisation, evoking the reception spaces of his studios and his personal living space. Letters related to his person and work will also become visible, including what Henry Miller or Olivia Hassey wrote to him after the photo was taken. Some of the photographs on display are original copies, which are valued pieces of Szípál’s photographic legacy and are being presented in such a comprehensive manner for the first time after his death. Some of the canvas prints from the archive are also part of the exhibition, combined with later prints.

More than a showcase of photographs, the exhibition is a tribute to a life lived through light, composition, and connection.

Visitors can not only witness Szipál’s mastery but also feel the warmth of his studios, the intimacy of his portraits, and the enduring influence of his teaching.

Date: 14 June – 5 October

Location: MODEM

Source:modemart.hu |Photo credit: Debrecen városa Facebook