Biography

Australian enamel artist Tibor Szakos was born in Hungary, moving to Australia in 1981.

His artwork consists mainly of enamelled copper panels referencing classic “Limoges” style from the 15th and 16th century. His interpretation moves to more modern interpretations of the medium with cubist elements rather than the religious iconography favoured by his artist wife, Kamilla.

Enamel is composed of layers of powdered glass, fired onto metal plates at temperatures of 800 to 950 degrees Celsius.
The art of fusing coloured enamels onto precious metal dates back to ancient Egypt. During the Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic periods, goldsmiths and jewellers would use enameling as a substitute for precious metals. The popularity of enamel throughout the ages was due not only to its great variety of colour and design, but also to its durability and resistance to wear.

Tibor Szakos studied visual arts and interior design in Hungary and Czechoslovakia. He lived and worked as an artist specialising in metal work. He was commissioned to make many murals and large scale works in copper and steel.

From 1991 – 1995 he studied fine enamel art in the international creative workshops in Kecskemet, Hungary. It is an important school for all European goldsmiths and metal artists. These creative months were immediately reflected in a higher standard of work.

His work has been included in the annual National Enamel Exhibition, in Sydney since 1993 and is now regularly exhibited by Gannon House Gallery.