In 2011 I was awarded the André Kertész Grant of the National Cultural Fund of Hungary. With this I received money and accommodation in Paris and my job was to complete a project there. I have, however, worked for a while here, in Hungary; my projects are about this country. But the scholarship was very tempting and this is why I applied for it. As I do not like just to work without any ground it was important for me to make a project about Hungary. It was also important that the problem I raise is timely.
The first time I visited Paris in 2006. I was lucky enough to exhibit in Paris the first time I went; it seemed that there is interest towards my work. At that time I seriously considered moving there for a while. But after a long struggle I decided to stay. It was definitely because I like to work here; my works are inspired by Hungary and by being Hungarian. And therefore I decided to use my scholarship for showing what I know about Hungary and what preoccupies me. In Paris, too, my starting point was being a Hungarian as this what I knew about. I was interested in the Parisian lives of Hungarians from my generation; artists, or people dealing with art. I finally chose nine persons: some of them I already knew and I could make contact with others through those. This project was also a little therapy to me as – because of my decision – I comforted myself with others’ difficulties.
Szabolcs Barakonyi 