Their Safe Haven

Hungarian Artists IN Britain FROM THE 1930s

The fascinating story of 14 Hungarian-born artists, including Imre Hofbauer, who made their lives in Britain during the 1930s.

by Robert Waterhouse

(September 2018)

In April 1943, amid the turmoil of the Second World War, the Hungarian Club moved to new premises at 33 Pembridge Square, London W2. An inaugural exhibition, organised by the émigré critic and publisher Charles Rosner, included graphics by 14 Hungarian-born artists living in Britain, namely Joseph Bato, painter and movie art director; Klara Biller, graphic designer; Val Biro, illustrator and author; George Buday, painter, wood engraver and founder of the Hungarian Cultural Institute; Imre Goth, portrait painter and inventor; Imre Hofbauer, painter and book illustrator; Peter Lambda, sculptor; Lili Markus, ceramicist; George Mayer-Marton, painter and teacher; Henry Ripszam, painter and sculptor; Jean-Georges Simon, painter and teacher; Istvan Szegedi-Szuts, painter, teacher and author; Paul Vincze, medallist; Akos Zsoter, painter.

Exiled from their homeland and from continental Europe, they embraced British life with enthusiasm and enterprise. In the difficult post-war years, when returning to Communist Hungary was hardly an option and when both Britain and the art world were changing rapidly, they retained motive and focus. They were highly creative – as the book will demonstrate.