A Pair Of Classically Inspired Ceramic Sculputres By Dora Várkonyi, Germany 2001

The figures stand upright, in a straight, almost majestic posture, on a simple pedestal accentuated by a border or frieze that surrounds it.
The bodies of the two figures are adorned with spiral motifs interspersed with leaf-shaped elements.
The figures’ gazes and the natural surface exert a visual pull on the viewer. The two colors—creamy white and rusty brown—complement each other, enhancing the sculptures’ overall presence.

Like Dora Varkonyi’s life-size figures, the figures’ posture is still, and they are at peace with themselves.
Thematically, the work depicts a meditative state in which empathy, strength, and determination are expressed.
It addresses the age-old question: “Who am I? How do I find my place in the world around me?” ”
The female body, both as an object and a surface for projection, has long been a central motif for the artist.


All the sculptures are one-of-a-kind, handcrafted pieces made of clay fired at 1,200 °C; they can easily be left outdoors.
They are resistant to weather conditions.



BIOGRAPHY
Born in Debrecen (Hungary)
Grew up in Debrecen, Constantine (Algeria), Budapest, Rome, and Saarbrücken
Has lived in Stuttgart since 1975
Studied ceramics, art history, and art education at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart
1981: State examination
Independent artist
From 1982 to 2010: lecturer at the Free Academy of Fine Arts in Nürtingen and at the Nürtingen University of Applied Sciences for Art Therapy

Since 2009: new studios and exhibition spaces in 70182 Stuttgart, Germany
2025/2026 Art Karlsruhe, International Fair for Classical, Modern, and Contemporary Art
2026 Jakobshallen, Bad Homburg / Frankfurt

EXHIBITIONS

2004, 2006
Mamer Municipality, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg – Ceramic Sculpture Biennial

2005, 2009, 2011, 2013
Kapfenberg, Austria
Kapfenberg International Ceramics Biennial

2005
Varazdin, Croatia
Varazdin International Ceramics Festival

2006
Fürstenwalde
7th edition of “Miniature in the Visual Arts”

2007, 2009, 2011, 2013
Stuttgart _ Art Association
Artists’ Salon

2008
Acquisition of a work by the Stuttgart Regional Council
Starting in 2010

Stuttgart _ Gallery 81
Annual thematic exhibitions and permanent exhibition

2013
Westerwald, Ceramics Museum
The Figure, Naspa ceramic sculpture

2016
Salon d’Art Actuell in Chazelles-sur-Lyon, guest of honor

2017
Schwarzenberg _ Ore Mountains
art-gura, 7th Art Prize of the City of Schwarzenberg

2018
Neue Keramik _ The European Ceramics Magazine
Issue 2, 2018, pages 32–35

2018
Bernd and Gisela Foundation, Rosenheim

2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Art Karlsruhe _ International Fair for Classic
and Contemporary Modern Art _ Arthus Gallery _ Bertin Genges _ Zell / Cologne

2016
Solo Exhibitions

2017
4th edition of the “Zell Art Trails”
Acquisition of a sculpture by the city of Zell am Harmersbach for the “Zell Art Trails”

2020
2020 Regional Prize for Design, Art, and Crafts
Karlsruhe Regional Council

2021
Kreuzkirche in Nürtingen _ Art in the Region _ Ceramics: 3 Perspectives

2022
The European Ceramics Magazine—January 2022, pp. 12–13: Profile

2022
Handwerk Gallery in Munich “Fairy Tales, Myths, Stories ”

2022
International Ceramics Symposium in Römhild, Thuringia

2023
Martinsons Prize, Latvia – International Biennial – Rothko Museum in Daugavpils

2023/24
China – Jingdezhen – International Ceramic Art Biennial

2024
AEB Atrium, Stuttgart


ART IN ARCHITECTURE
1995
Göppingen Riot Police

2013
Acquired by the Ravensburg District Court
From the series “Zeitlosnah ”: the sculpture “Justice”


AWARDS
1980
Stuttgart Academy of Fine Arts Prize

1982
Sponsorship Prize from the Rotary Club of Stuttgart-Klosterneuburg/Vienna for Young Artists and Researchers

2010
Saint Leopold Peace Prize, recognizing humanitarian commitment in the arts
First Prize, accompanied by a museum acquisition, for the sculptural group
“ Breaks in the Biography”