Exploring Texture and Form: Unveiling “Echoes of Matter”

follow.art is unveiling a virtual exhibition, Echoes of Matter, showcasing artworks inspired by the Budapest-based Matéria Művészeti Társaság – a group of artists who, despite philosophical differences, focus on the importance of material in their work. Curated by Budapest-based Interior Designer Viktória Ilosvay, the event explores the connection between parallels of society, history, and walls throughout millennia.

Viktória Ilosvay's curation of Echoes of Matter stems from her background in interior design and art history, with a fascination for walls as both physical and symbolic constructs. The artists in the exhibition explore how materials express ideas, a concept Viktória incorporates into her own design philosophy. “I am fascinated by how sensually they can express their ideas through the artistic manipulation of surfaces," she says.

A key moment in the exhibition’s development was realizing the potential of presenting multiple interpretations of the same subject. “It was an important change of perspective and gave the exhibition a new direction,” she shared, adding that this shift led to a playful exploration of representations, from abstract materiality to nostalgic depictions of Hungarian country houses.

In the exhibition, the artists transcend the limitations of the two-dimensional canvas, exploring the raw, tactile beauty of surfaces. Their works are often reminiscent of plaster, with textures that evoke the sensations of touch and materiality, pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms. As viewers are invited to immerse themselves in these sensually expressive creations, surface materials become a profound medium for conveying the artists’ innermost ideas. This technique has sparked a fascinating connection with interior design, where texture and material equally transform spaces, inviting a deeper contemplation on the interplay of art and the environment.

The exhibition is structured in two parts, each reflecting a unique facet of the dialogue between art, humanity, and the walls surrounding us. The first section pays homage to the enduring tradition of surface manipulation in contemporary art, where artists, working with plaster-like materials, embrace both skill and chance. As the medium dries, unpredictable cracks and stains emerge, leaving room for spontaneity to shape the outcome—just as life's unexpected turns sculpt our journeys. These imperfections add depth to the artwork, mirroring how time and fate leave their mark on our lives and environments.

The second segment takes a figurative approach, spotlighting walls as silent witnesses to human activity throughout history. These walls bear the traces of ancient civilizations, preserving the imprints of people long gone. In this context, walls are not just physical barriers; they become symbols of human connection and separation. They protect, exclude, or collapse—much like the social structures we build. Whether adorned deliberately or shaped by centuries of erosion, walls tell the story of our shared existence, tracing the evolution of society and culture over millennia.

Ultimately, Echoes of Matter delves into the profound relationship between people, history, and the surfaces that surround us, using walls as a metaphor for life itself. As symbols of permanence and change, they mirror our innate desire to leave a mark on the world—a drive that has defined human culture since the dawn of time. From ancient cave paintings to the bold experimentation of contemporary art, the exhibition highlights how walls serve as a canvas for personal and collective expression, creating a universal language that connects us across time and space.

List of participating artists:

Natália Mazalin

Zsuzsa Nemes

János Dréher

Zoltán Székács

Izabela Rudzka

Magdolna Zelinka

Elad Eisenstein

Szabina Góré

Catherine Olivier

Oleksandra Ravska

Lotte Hubmann

Miguel Sopena

Mustafa Yüce

The exhibition runs online from the 14th of October to the 14th of December, with majority of works available for direct purchase.