József Somogyi Sculptor

Sculptor József Somogyi was born on June 9, 1916 in Félszerfalva. Between 1935 and 1936 he studied at the Vilmos Aba Novák Free School. In 1936 he was admitted to the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts, where he was a student of István Réti, Béla Kontuly and Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl; he graduated in 1941. In 1940 he received an honorary award at the spring salon of the Szinyei Society for his work entitled "Wounded Bear". He received all the significant awards during his life. In 1954 he was awarded the Kossuth Prize for his work; in 1956 he received the Munkácsy Prize. In 1958 he won the Grand Prize of the World Exhibition in Brussels for his work entitled "Dancers", created together with Jenő Kerényi. In 1966 he was declared a meritorious artist; In 1970 he was awarded the title of Outstanding Artist. In addition, he won numerous awards at various Biennials. His work was recognized with the Order of Merit in Gold in 1976, the Madách Award in 1978, the Order of the Banner of the Hungarian People's Republic in 1986, and the Hungarian Art Award in 1991. Between 1945 and 1963 he was a teacher at the High School of Fine and Applied Arts. From 1963 to 1993 he continued his teaching career as a teacher at the Hungarian College of Fine Arts. Between 1974 and 1987 he was the rector of the College. An essential characteristic of his sculpture is its skeleton-like structure. In addition to his commissioned works made of bronze and placed in public spaces, an important part of his work is made up of terracotta secular and sacred circular sculptures, small bronze sculptures, reliefs and medals, as well as drawings made in a variety of techniques.