Réka Szepesvári is a multidisciplinary artist born in Hungary, working primarily in installation, new media and painting. Her work explores the concept of acquiring and losing language, culture, identity, and self as a result of cultural displacement.
Réka received her BA in Honours Fine Arts Studio Practice from the University of Waterloo and graduated at the top of her class. She received numerous awards for her outstanding work including the 2015 Fine Arts / UWAG President Curator's Choice Award, the Distinguished Academic Achievement in Fine Arts Award, the Lynne Holmes Memorial Award, the Maia Reinking Art Award, and the President’s Scholarship from the University of Waterloo. Most recently, Réka was part of the Fresh Paint / New Construction group exhibition at Art Mûr (in Montreal).
ARTIST STATEMENT
The principle of linguistic relativity suggests that thought is shaped by language - from which follows the idea of shifting linguistic exposure: How one's understanding of their world changes as they immerse themselves in a new language construct, perhaps at the expense of their native tongue? A truly complex phenomenon, fascinating and singularly relevant in Canada, where multilingualism is a central tenet of our national identity.
My work explores the ensuing synergy as the struggle to hold onto what was clashes with the thrill of becoming something else. I measure processing speed in different languages using a computer program to clock reaction times to certain images, to investigate how perception is altered during language conflict. The work is a representation of this data, exploring the intricacies of the working mind through diverse mediums. Language becomes portraiture, reflecting upon its unique and vital role in our lives.
Reka explains her recent work My life would have been mediocre
EDUCATION
2015 University of Waterloo, Bachelor of Arts
Honours Fine Arts Studio Practice
Psychology Minor, Teaching Specialization
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
- 2015 Fresh Paint / New Construction - 11th edition, Art Mûr, Montreal, QC
- 2015 YES 2015! Curator: Ivan Jurakic, University of Waterloo Art Gallery, Waterloo, ON
- 2015 Generation Now 2.0 Curator: Marijana Vorkapic, Raintree Cafe, Waterloo, ON
- 2015 PEEK Curator: Zana Kozomora & Reka Szepesvari, Artery Gallery, Waterloo, ON
- 2014 Tractus, Artery Gallery, Waterloo, ON
- 2014 Spontaneous Combustion, Artery Gallery, Waterloo, ON
- 2013 Just Because Curator: Sarah Faucher, Loovre Art Gallery, Waterloo, ON
- 2013 Natural Environment Curator: Sarah Faucher, Loovre Art Gallery, Waterloo, ON
- 2011 Kids in the Hall: Edmonton City Hall Exhibition, Edmonton City Hall, Edmonton, AB
CURATORIAL PRACTICE
- 2015 BODY. PLACE. FLUX., Artery Gallery, Waterloo, ON
2015 PEEK, Artery Gallery, Waterloo, ON
2014 Divergent Identities, Artery Gallery, Waterloo, ON
2014 Unique Dimensionality, Artery Gallery, Waterloo, ON
(Lisa Birke, David Blatherwick, Tara Cooper, Joan Coutu, Ivan Jurakic, Doug Kirton,
Laura Leslie, Jean Stevenson, Jessica Thompson, Jane Tingley, Bojana Videkanic)
AWARDS & GRANTS
- 2015 University of Waterloo Distinguished Academic Achievement Award
- 2015 Fine Arts / UWAG President Curator's Choice Award
- 2015 University of Waterloo Excellence Award
- 2015 Graduated with Dean's Honours
- 2012 – 2015 University of Waterloo Faculty of Arts Upper-Year Scholarship
- 2014 Lynn Holmes Memorial Award
- 2013 University of Waterloo Sculpture Award
- 2012 University of Waterloo McDonald's Second Year Fine Arts Scholarship
- 2011 Maia Reinking Fine Arts Award