Joseph Kadar

Joseph Kadar is known as painter, photographer, graphic artist and sculptor. He was born on 25 July 1936 in Debrecen (Hungary). In 1965–1961 he studied at Hungarian Fine Arts University under Aurel Bernath and Geza Fonyi. In 1939–1954 Kadar lived in Hajduszoboszlo, in 1969 he moved to Paris. His early Paris period was influenced by Surrealism, Constructivism and, to some extent, Abstractionism. The artist defines 1973 as the start of his “dualism” period, 1984 as the beginning of “horisontalism” period. In 1969 he created his first mail-art objects and first book objects. From 1979 on, Kadar was seriously engaged in art photography. In a series of photographs and photograms he captured impressions of his journeys around Israel, India, Italy, Greece and Spain. These works were highly appreciated by Lucien Hervé, (French photographer of Hungarian descent). At the same time, Kadar started experimenting with electrography. In early 1980s he created art objects with copy machine, also using photographs and elements of collage.

In 1985, Kadar left painting to investigate further the methods of photo copying and computer electrography (black-and-white as well as color). He also worked with various un-reproducible techniques (such as three-dimension relief electrography). Kadar is known as art critic and organizer of cultural events including art biennials in Budapest (1992-1994), Berlin (1994), Seoul (1995), Szombathely (1996), Hajduszoboszlo (1997). He edited and published several magazines: Revue d’Art (1984), Hongrois Parisiens  (1984), Revue Envelope (1992), Electro Graphics (1992). In 1990 Kadar returned to Hungary. He is the head of Győr graphics biennial and the founder of Hajduszoboszlo Museum of contemporary art. Kadar is the founder of Groupe A–Z uniting the artists working with new electronic media. Joseph Kadar’s works can be found in museum collections in Hungary, France and Russia.