About the artist
Ruth Schmidt (née Ilonka Ruth), born in 1982 in Transylvania, currently lives and works in Budapest.
If asked how long she has been painting, she dates it to 2017, because although she started painting with acrylics earlier and attended several drawing and painting clubs, she prefers to call those „attempts.” In 2017, she began learning the secrets of classical oil painting with her master, Kálmán Gasztonyi, which brought about a true change for her.
He dedicated the years 2017–2021 to learning and development. This is why he created so many study paintings in a wide variety of styles. He is very fond of Piet Mondrian, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, Albert Bierstadt, Rembrandt van Rijn, Károly Markó… As these names show, he was open to exploring new movements and loved trying out a diverse range of styles and techniques. This is primarily visible in his eclectic study pieces, where he applied the characteristics of various eras, styles, and movements in combination, as well as his admiration for Warhol and Mondrian, which can be seen in his pop art and Mondrian-inspired geometric figurative paintings. His search for his own path is evident during these years.
In 2020, her narrative and depth-rich style began to unfold. She paints works of art that combine realism with imagination.
In these works, she found her unique voice and artistic identity.
Master, Kálmán Gasztonyi writes about it like this:
„Ruth Schmidt's painting draws nourishment from the knowledge of the masters of past centuries, addressing 21st-century man by applying their painting techniques. Painted with the utmost professional humility and fantastic precision, her pictures offer a unique aesthetic visual experience that is unmistakably and characteristically her own. Her pictures are narrative, they tell stories—thus filling the bare aesthetic experience with human stories and feelings. Ruth's fundamental nature is good cheer, a positive worldview, and humor. Unfortunately, in contemporary painting, there is less and less room for humor, even though it is one of life's greatest gifts—provided one has it. Fortunately, the Creator bestowed it generously upon Ruth. The depiction of divine power also frequently plays a role in her pictures, as her Christian faith is very important to her. Symbolism is perhaps the best way to characterize her painting, but surrealism also appears at times. After the initial study pieces, her unfolding art practically contains no „plain” still lifes, landscapes, or classically formulated figuration. There is always a little Ruthian twist that transfigures, fills, and thus makes artistic what might be thought of as a realistic picture. Ruth's talent, diligence, and purposeful drive hold many, many more excellent paintings in store for us.”
ARTISTIC CONCEPT
„In my artistic practice, I strive to transcend the mere imitation of the visible world, aiming to convey the complex emotions and thoughts hidden within the invisible aspects of life. My works capture universal themes such as childlike faith, attachment, human-to-human emotions, the relationship between God and man, transience, hope, love, romantic love, pain, humor, social critique, and self-criticism. Through my symbolistic pieces, which often stretch into surrealism, I strive to depict the ineffable.
Drawing from personal experiences, my paintings serve as an intimate depiction of my inner world, with each piece representing a fragment of my soul. Henry Ward Beecher's thought perfectly reflects my art: „Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” Through my work, I strive to connect with viewers on a deep level, encouraging them to discover and appreciate the richness of their own emotional landscapes.”
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2026 - Finland (Helsinki) - Liszt Institute Helsinki / Dávid Gallery – Symbol
2026 - Latvia (Riga) - Embassy of Hungary in Riga / Dávid Gallery - Symbol
2025 - Hungary (Budapest) - Dávid Gallery/Y2O Elements - SYMBOL NEXT
2025 - Hungary (Budapest) - David Gallery - Symbol
2024 - Hungary (Miskolc) - MÖM - One sees clearly only with the heart
2022 - Romania (Vlăhița) - Gábor Áron Cultural House - The Great Journey
2021 - Hungary (Budapest) - Titok Gallery - Through Different Eyes
2020 - Hungary (Budapest) - Schmidt Ruth Paintings - independent gallery and
studio - permanent exhibition (from March 2020)
GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2026 – Spain (Barcelona) – MEAM European Museum of Modern Art – MEAM Hall 2026
2026 – Hungary (Budapest) – David Gallery/Fine Arts Capital – Open Doors
2026 – Hungary (Budapest) – David Gallery – Biennale of the Twelve
2026 – USA (New York) – One Art Space Gallery – Artist Talk
2026 – Hungary (Budapest) – David Gallery – Night Creatures
2026 – Hungary (Hévíz) – David Gallery/Le Primore Superior – CEO
2026 – Hungary (Budapest) – David Gallery – AAAAfter
2026 – Hungary (Budapest Bálna) – David Gallery – Art and Antique
2026 – Hungary (Budapest) – Sors Gallery – Fingerprints
2026 – Hungary (Budapest) – Dávid Galéria/Fine Arts Capital – Mother Nature-Water
2026 – Hungary (Budapest) – Golden Duck Gallery – Fingerprints
2025 – Hungary (Budapest) – Breitling Budapest/Dávid Gallery – Forever Time
2025 – Hungary (Budapest) – David Gallery – Construct Nature
2025 – Hungary (Budapest) Kincsem Kult/Dávid Gallery – My Broken Renaissance
2025 – Hungary (Budapest) – István Takács Gallery – 34th Hungarian Independent Salon.
2025 – Spain (Damien) – Cultural Center – Target La Mancha
2025 – Belgium (Turnhout) – Art UP Contemporary – Mother Nature/ Water
2025 – Spain (Madrid) – Ateneo de Madrid – Target
2025 – Hungary (Budapest) – David Gallery – Elements
2025 – Hungary (Salgótarján) – Salgótarján Cultural Center / Dávid Gallery – The
Colors of Rebirth
2025 – Hungary (Budapest) – István Takács Gallery – 33rd Hungarian Independent Salon.
national exhibition
2024 – Austria (Vienna) – CITYgalleryVIENNA and Golden Duck Gallery – Christmas is
at the Opera House
2024 – Hungary (Budapest) – Dávid Gallery – 100 paintings, 100 thoughts
2024 – Hungary (Budapest) – K Gallery – Artist's Room
2024 – Monaco – International Contemporary Art Fair
2024 – Greece (Athens) – Art Number 23 Gallery – Athens Open Art
2024 – Japan (Tokyo) – Design Festa Gallery – Tokyo Open Art
2024 – USA (New York) – Artexpo New York
2024 – Italy (Lavagna) – Con-Temporary Art Observatorium – Freedom of Art 2.
2024 – USA (St Petersburg) – Florida's Poynter Park – Accepting Our Differences 2.
2024 – Hungary (Budapest) – David Gallery – Papillon Carnevale
2024 – USA (Sarasota) – Florida’s Bayfront Park – Embracing Our Differences 1.
2023 – France (Paris) – Salon International d'Art Contemporain at Carrousel du Louvre Paris
2023 – United Kingdom (London) – the 6th The London Art Biennale
2023 – United Kingdom (London) – Holy Art Gallery
2023 – Hungary (Budapest) – Teravarna Gallery (Los Angeles, USA) and Golden Duck Gallery (Budapest) – artBIAS
2023 – Spain (Madrid) – Gaudi Arte Gallery – Brushstrokes of Freshness
2023 – Hungary (Budapest) – Golden Duck Gallery – The First Catalog
2023 – France (Nice) – Nice International Art Expo
2023 – Hungary (Budapest) – Golden Duck Gallery – Art for Peace
2022 – United Kingdom (London) – New Artist Fair – The Truman Brewery
2022 – Hungary (Budapest) – Szimpla Kert (Jancsó Art Gallery) – Spring in the City
2022 – United Kingdom (Newark) – Thoresby Gallery – Universal Human Values
2019 – Hungary (Budapest) – Zsilip Art Center – Flora and Fauna
MEDIA APPEARANCES:
2026 – Finland (Helsinki) – Helsinki Liszt Institute / Paprika&Sauna Cultural Podcast
2025 – United Kingdom – Art Seen Magazine – Issue 18, interview
2025 – Canada (Toronto) – Divide Magazine – Issue 15, interview
2025 – United Kingdom – Artist Talk Magazine – Issue 40
2025 – France (Lyon) – Circle Quarterly Art Review – Issue 11
2024 – Canada (Toronto) – Divide Magazine – 11th Issue
2024 – United Kingdom – Art Seen Magazine – Fall Issue 2024
2024 – USA (Los Angeles) – Teravarna Gallery – Art Talks – video interview
2024 – Netherlands – Visual Art Journal Magazine – Issue 2, interview
2024 – USA (Sarasota) – Herald-Tribune – 2024 EOD Audience Award (May 24)
2024 – Hungary (Miskolc) – Miskolc Journal – Volume XXI, Issue 4 (January 27)
2024 – Hungary – BOON (Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County News Portal) (January 27)
2023 – Hungary (Budapest) – RTL TV / „Célirány” – report (November 26 broadcast)
2023 – Hungary (Budapest) – Művész Ma, Cultural and Art Magazine, online (July 29)
2023 – Hungary (Budapest) – ARTsCAP Contemporary Art Magazine, Issue 2023/2/XI (Art for Peace exhibition)
2022 – Hungary (Budapest) – Contemporary Art Magazine titled ARTsCAP 2022/1/X
2021 – Hungary (Budapest) – Karc FM 105.9 Radio / Páholy
2020 – USA (Newfields, New Hampshire) – Creativ Guts Zine – Spring Edition
AWARDS:
2025 – Spain (Madrid) – Ateneo de Madrid (Target Prize) – Michael Harding Award
2024 – Austria (Vienna) – CITYgalleryVIENNA – Concept Award
2024 – USA (New York) – ArtJobs – Artist of the Month Award
2024 – France (Lyon) – Circle Foundation for the Arts – Mastermind Award
2024 – USA (Sarasota, California) – Embracing Our Differences 2024 – Audience Award
2023 – France (Lyon) – Circle Quarterly Art Review Magazine Contest – Artistic Excellence Award
2023 – USA (Santa Barbara) – World Wide Art/Artavita Competition – First Place
2023 – United Kingdom (London), selected as one of the artists for the 6th London Art Biennale
2023 – Hungary (Budapest) – Teravarna Gallery (Los Angeles, USA) and Golden Duck Gallery (Budapest) – artBIAS – First International Art Show – Special Jury Award
2021 – USA (New York) – People and Paintings Gallery/Vulnerable – Audience Award
2019 – Hungary (Budapest) – Flora and Fauna – Zsilip Art Center Painting Competition, Audience Award (Professional Category)
2019 – Hungary (Budapest) – Flora and Fauna – Zsilip Art Center Painting Competition
(professional category) 2nd place