Bela IVANYI 1936 - 2022
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Artist, Educator, and Advocate for Plein Air Painting
Bela Ivanyi was a Hungarian-born Australian artist celebrated for his evocative landscape paintings and lifelong dedication to visual arts education.
Born in Győr, Hungary, in 1936, Ivanyi immigrated to Australia in 1957, where he settled in Sydney and laid the foundation for a prolific career in the arts.
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Ivanyi studied at the National Art School in East Sydney, earning a Diploma in Painting in 1968. That same year, he gained national recognition by winning the Reader's Digest Drawing Prize.
A master of plein air painting, Ivanyi developed a strong connection to the Australian landscape. His artistic journeys took him across the country, with a particular affection for Alice Springs and the Kimberleys—regions he described as "rugged and tough... but, at the same time, sweet" and "exotic," respectively.
He held 35 solo exhibitions in major Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, and the NSW Central Coast. He also participated in numerous group exhibitions, such as:
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Reader's Digest Drawing Prize (Winner, 1968)
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Sydney Printmakers Survey Exhibition, Blaxland Gallery
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Perth Drawing Prize
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Australian Graphic Artists' Exhibition, Philip Bacon Gallery
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Wynne Prize (1978, 1981–1983)
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Fleurieu Art Prize (2000)
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Kedumba Drawing Award (2003)
His work is held in numerous public and private collections, most notably the Australian National Gallery.
Ivanyi's legacy extends beyond his painting. From 1974 to 1980, he served as a Flying Art Instructor, traveling across Queensland by air from Brisbane to deliver art workshops in remote communities. He also conducted a Winter Art School in Queensland for over 37 years, nurturing generations of artists.
He held teaching positions at various institutions, including the Workshop Art Centre, City Art Institute, and the University of New South Wales (COFA), influencing countless students over decades.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Australian art and education, Bela Ivanyi was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
He passed away on 22 July 2022, leaving a legacy defined by artistic excellence, a deep love of country, and an enduring commitment to nurturing creativity in others.
