A poster for the exhibition. 

Guanlan in Longhua District continues to strengthen its profile as an international cultural hub, as a new exhibition featuring two leading Hungarian printmakers opens to the public this spring.

Running from March 25 to May 31, the dual exhibition of Zoltán Janváry and Gyula Frimmel is being held at the Qi Fengge Museum of Printmaking History, part of the China Guanlan Original Printmaking Base.

Zoltán Janváry (L) and Gyula Frimmel. 

The show brings nearly 100 works spanning different stages of the two artists’ careers, offering visitors in Shenzhen a rare encounter with contemporary Eastern European printmaking.

Both artists are graduates of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts and are widely regarded as key figures in modern Hungarian printmaking. Their works, shaped by decades of artistic practice and teaching, reflect a deep command of traditional techniques alongside evolving personal visual languages.

Janváry’s work is rooted in a contemporary reinterpretation of classical ideals. His prints construct what he describes as a “Golden Age of Humanity,” where small human figures are set against monumental architectural and sculptural forms. Drawing on imagery from the Carpathian region, his compositions evoke an epic, almost timeless narrative. His mastery of intaglio techniques, particularly mezzotint, lends his work a sculptural depth and tonal richness. Having spent more than two decades teaching in the United States, his practice bridges Eastern European traditions with a broader international perspective.

Some artworks by Zoltán Janváry on display. 

Frimmel, by contrast, explores the tension between figuration and abstraction. His works juxtapose precise, realistic details with experimental compositions, creating images that are both poetic and subtly disquieting. He frequently references figures from Western art history while transforming everyday objects into surreal visual elements. His sustained exploration of mezzotint allows him to build layered, atmospheric images that reflect a deep inquiry into the expressive possibilities of printmaking.

Artworks by Gyula Frimmel on display. 

Presented together, the two artists form a compelling dialogue — between narrative and structure, monumentality and introspection — inviting viewers to engage with printmaking from multiple perspectives.

The exhibition also underscores Guanlan’s growing role as a platform for international artistic exchange. As one of China’s most established printmaking centers, the Guanlan base has increasingly positioned itself as a meeting point for global print cultures through research-driven exhibitions and cross-border collaborations.

By introducing the work of prominent Hungarian artists, the exhibition not only brings Eastern European print traditions to local audiences, but also reinforces Guanlan’s ambition to build an internationally connected cultural ecosystem. In an era shaped by rapid technological change, it offers a reminder of the enduring creative value of handcrafted artistic expression.

Dates: March 25-May 31, 2026

Venue: Qi Fengge Museum of Printmaking History, China Guanlan Original Printmaking Base

Add: No. 169 Yuxin Road, Guanlan Street, Longhua District, Shenzhen

Metro: Line 4, Guanlan Station, Exit A, and take a 10-minute taxi ride to the Guanlan Original Printmaking Base