SI-LA-GI&rsquo;s paintings on canvas, from the 1960s to today, showcase his evolving artistic practice. His canvases, from small, intimate pieces to expansive canvases up to ten meters, blend diverse techniques and topics, producing visually striking works. By integrating words in various languages, SI-LA-GI adds depth and complexity, inviting viewers to uncover hidden meanings.&nbsp;Editor&#39;s Note: Over the course of his six-decade career, SI-LA-GI created thousands of artworks, and only a very small selection is displayed in this album.<a href="/artworks/">Back to &quot;Artworks by medium&quot;</a>

Painting on Canvas

Painting on canvas by hungarian artist SI-LA-GI (Szabolcs Szilágyi) - two blue and white paintings hanging on a wall

"This Painting Is Based on a True Story" and "Unfinished" 

Photography taken during the exhibition "'TÁRGYTALAN', SI-LA-GI & Zsuzsanna Kovács Drölma" at Tér-Kép Galéria, Budapest, 2023

Painting on canvas by hungarian artist SI-LA-GI (Szabolcs Szilágyi) - this painting based on a true story

"This Painting Is Based on a True Story"
Medium: Acrylic and spray paint on canvas
Dimensions: 180 x 100 cm
Year: 2018

Painting on canvas by hungarian artist SI-LA-GI (Szabolcs Szilágyi) - unfinished, a blue painting with the words unfinished on it

"Unfinished"
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 100 x 115 cm
Year: 2018

Painting on canvas by hungarian artist SI-LA-GI (Szabolcs Szilágyi) - a painting of a chair and a red square

Painting on canvas by hungarian artist SI-LA-GI (Szabolcs Szilágyi) - a painting and photography of chinese border guards with the words Tao and Mao written on it

"Tao / Mao"
Medium: Mixed techniques on Canvas
Dimensions: 110 x 74 cm
Year: 1984

In this provocative piece, SI-LA-GI overlays the words “Tao” / "Mao" onto a photograph of guards at the Chinese border, creating a thought-provoking interplay between the image and text. By juxtaposing the philosophical concept of "Tao" with the name of the controversial Chinese leader, the artist invites reflection on the complex and sometimes contradictory forces that have shaped China's history, politics, and development. The yellow background enhances the visual impact, symbolizing enlightenment and caution.

Painting on canvas by hungarian artist SI-LA-GI (Szabolcs Szilágyi) - the word jude on a black background

"Jude [Zsidó]"
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 196 x 280 cm
Year: 1990/96

↳ JUDE A neutral scene. There is no hate, no fear, no love. There is nothing, in other words all that is there is what we put there. What you put there : emotions, feelings which come from us and not from others and with which we can fill the scene. It is banal, simple; banal, incredible. Look at it again, it is still and forever neutral, only imagination begins to work. I could even say, look deep inside yourself for the roots of your emotions, but i do not say it. 

"Tea for Nobody"
Medium: Acrylic on canvas, aluminium, objects
Dimensions: 300 x 200 cm
Year: 1991

"Tortoise and the Mountain"
Medium: Gold, Acrylic and Japanese ink on canvas
Dimensions: 180 x 200 cm
Year: 2011

"Tortoise and the Mountain"
Picture taken during an exhibition at MODEM, Debrecen, 2016

"Non-existing ladder" 
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Year: 201x

"Art Is Lost in the Forest of Success, SOS"
Medium: Acrylic and crayon on Canvas
Dimensions: 150 x 130cm
Year: 2018

In this painting, SI-LA-GI confronts the paradoxical relationship between artistic success and creative stagnation. Amidst abstract trees, the text "Art is lost in the forest of success" suggests how acclaim can confine artists, leading to repetition and loss of creativity. The SOS message in Morse code, "Save our souls," is a call for liberation from this "cage" of success, urging artists to push beyond complacency.



"Leave the Beauty Behind"

↳ SI-LA-GI’s painting "Leave the Beauty Behind" features abstract green and pink brushstrokes, creating a visually striking yet minimalist composition. The text "Leave the Beauty Behind" challenges the viewer to look beyond superficial aesthetics and seek deeper meaning. This work emphasizes the importance of the underlying message over mere visual appeal, urging a reflection on what lies beneath the surface. 

Without an Object: The literal translation of "tárgytalan" breaks down to "without an object" ("tárgy" meaning "object" and the suffix "-talan" indicating "without"). In philosophical or abstract contexts, indicating something that lacks a concrete object or is intangible.

"Yellow River" (Triptych)
Medium: Mixed techniques on Canvas (print, acrylic)
Dimensions: 171.5 x 210 cm

Yellow is not yellow, but INFINITE BLUE. The river is not a river, but ONE PICTURE OF THREE. The relationship between the forms, colors and texts in the images are visual representations of a thought process. Contemplations that can inspire the viewer to think, to come closer to the liberating recognition of freedom, i.e. limitlessness. 

"Gate"
Medium: Acrylic and cloth on canvas
Dimensions: 130 x 230 cm
Year: 1983

"Midnight / Éjfél"
Medium: Oil, acrylic, and bones on canvas
Dimensions: 230 x 800 cm
Year: 1983

In this expansive painting of 230x800 cm (1983), SI-LA-GI explores the cyclical nature of time and the human experience. Their forms abstracted and intertwined. The artist incorporates the motifs of sunset and sunrise, suggesting the passage of days and the ebb and flow of life itself. By integrating real bones into the composition, SI-LA-GI adds an archaeological dimension, evoking the enduring presence of the past within the present moment. Documenting the nocturnal position changes of the artist and his wife, the work captures intimate human rhythms, inviting multiple interpretations while ultimately unifying diverse temporal and symbolic elements into a powerful, cohesive statement about the interconnectedness of existence.

"Departure, Arrival"
Medium: Acrylic and crayon on canvas
Dimensions: 60 x 230 cm
Year: 2020

In this artwork, SI-LA-GI contemplates the liminal space between departure and arrival, suggesting their inherent similarity. The left panel features a delicate line drawing of boats, while the right presents an abstract interpretation of the same concept. Both compositions culminate in expanses of white, evoking a sense of endlessness and emptiness. Through this juxtaposition, the artist invites the viewer to consider the transient nature of journeys and the profound void that awaits at their conclusion.

In this painting, SI-LA-GI presents an abstract composition featuring Korean text, challenging the viewer to grapple with the nature of meaning itself. The artist invites us to either decipher the text's literal translation or simply accept its presence as a signifier of hidden meaning, without necessarily comprehending its content. 

"Gensö" / "Mirror of Our Lack of Understanding"
Medium: Acrylic, charcoal and spray paint on canvas
Dimensions: Approx. 180 x 180 cm
Year: 2022

↳ In this artwork, SI-LA-GI presents a house constructed from lines, floating in an infinite space. The artist suggests that this structure represents our home, our place in the universe, yet its origins and destination remain unknown. The presence of Chinese and Japanese text, undecipherable to most viewers, serves as a mirror reflecting our own limited understanding. Through this composition, SI-LA-GI invites us to contemplate the boundaries of our knowledge and the vastness of the mysteries that surround us.

"Sitting on the Throne Wash Your Feet in the Void"
Medium: Chinese ink
Year: 2011

"Trigon"
Medium: Oil and acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 130 x 200 cm
Year: 1983

In this painting from 1983, SI-LA-GI juxtaposes three disparate figures - Venus, David, and Buddha - exploring themes of gender, spirituality, and interconnectedness. The figures, rendered in ethereal lines, appear to connect and interact within the composition.

"Mademoiselles de Stockholm / Stockholmi Kisasszonyok"
Medium: Acrylic paint, silkscreen on paper
Dimensions: 220 x 280 cm
Year: 1983

"David and the Chair"
Medium: Paint and crayon on canvas
Dimensions: 90 x 240 cm
Year: 1983

"In the Graveyard"
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 87 x 63 cm
Year: 1968

"Destroyed Body"
Medium: Ink on canvas
Dimensions: 82 x 55 cm
Year: 1968

"Grief"
Medium: Acrylic and charcoal on linen
Dimensions: 190 x 130 cm
Year: 1968

"Meditation"

In this early work from 1968, a young SI-LA-GI of 21 years old explores the expressive potential of calligraphic brushstrokes. The painting's gestural marks evoke a sense of spontaneity and meditation, reflecting the artist's nascent interest in the meaningful simplicity of Eastern calligraphy. In addition to the dynamic brushstrokes, the number of dots represents the content associated with the meditation, enhancing the work's depth and connection to contemplative practices.

Explore SI-LA-GI's canvas paintings from 1960s to present. Discover evolving techniques, multilingual elements, and Eastern influences in his artworks

SI-LA-GI: Painting on Canvas | Swedish Hungarian Artist

SI-LA-GI&#39;s artworks on paper ranges from small, intimate pieces to expansive canvases up to ten meters, with size determined by the theme. Words in various languages often appear in his works, prompting thought, meditation, and exploration of hidden meanings.Editor&#39;s Note: Over the course of his six-decade career, SI-LA-GI created thousands of artworks, and only a very small selection is displayed in this album.<a href="/artworks/">Back to &quot;Artworks by medium&quot;</a>

Works on Paper

"I'm Going to Die My Dear, and You Too"
Year : 198x

"Everybody Used to Lie"
Medium: Oil and acrylic on newspaper
Dimensions: 30 x 41 cm
Year: 1981

"Heart Sutra / Szív-Szútra"
Medium: C-print mounted on aluminum
Dimensions: 126 x 162 cm
Year: 2000

In this powerful performance piece, SI-LA-GI physically engages with the Heart Sutra, a sacred Buddhist text, by writing it on the wall in charcoal and then imprinting it onto his naked back. The artist subsequently erases portions of the text using a sponge, creating circular voids that evoke the impermanence and cyclical nature of existence

"Indian Summer"
Medium: Acrylic on newspaper
Dimensions: 28 x 40 cm
Year: 1981

"The Trap / Csapda"
Medium: Acrylic paint, silkscreen on paper
Dimensions: 200 x 210 cm
Year: 1983

"Jump Into Nothing"
Medium: Acrylic paint, silkscreen on paper
Dimensions: 200 x 210 cm
Year: 1983

"Swedish Comics"
Medium: Silkscreen on paper
Dimensions: 75 x 52 cm
Year: 1980

"No Title"
Medium: Silkscreen on paper, oil, and spray
Dimensions: 37.5 x 51.5 cm
Year: 1980

Daily News
"Bartok Screw Diver and the Mass"
Medium: Acrylic on newspaper
Dimensions: 40 x 56 cm
Year: 1981

"Marcel and Joseph"
Medium: Silkscreen, lithography, and offset
Dimensions: 75 x 56 cm
Year: 1981

SI-LA-GI’s artwork integrates offset lithography, stone lithography, and silkscreen to create a dynamic, multi-layered composition. Central to the piece is an image featuring Marcel Duchamp and Joseph Beuys by a swimming pool, extending into infinite space. The inclusion of philosophical text invites to a deeper understanding, contemplation on the philosophical and artistic connections between these figures. This work bridges different techniques and ideas, exploring themes of perception, continuity, and the interplay between text and image. Wisdom, equanimity, dualistic view. Wisdom the unmistaken understanding of things, specifically the inside into emptiness, the actual way in which things exist, the antidote to ignorance.

"Buddhafok"
Medium: Aquarelle
Dimensions: 26 x 14 cm
Year: Between 1980 and 1990

"Gate or Curtain"
Medium: Silkscreen and spray
Year: 1983

"Seated Buddha"
Medium: Lithography and silkscreen
Dimensions: 90 x 63 cm
Year: 1991

"EUROPA I"
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: 1993

"At the Same Time"
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: 1993

"32 Mistakes" (32 different pieces)
Medium: Silkscreen, crayon, and spray
Dimensions: 75 x 52 cm
Year: 1982

SI-LA-GI's artwork "32 Mistakes" explores the beauty of imperfection and transformation through a series of 32 unique silk screen prints. Originating from a broken silk screen, each piece showcases the fluidity and the distortion of form, creating a dynamic interplay between intention and accident. 

"Élet (Alive)"
Medium: Silkscreen
Dimensions: 44 x 70 cm
Year: 1990-2000

SI-LA-GI's artwork " ÉLET " juxtaposes life ("ÉLET ") and death ("HALÁL") by constructing each term from the words of the other. This visual interplay emphasizes the intrinsic connection between life and death. The inclusion of Hokusai's prints as backgrounds in some versions adds a dimension of intimacy and creation, symbolizing the intertwining of beginnings and ends. Through this, SI-LA-GI explores the cyclical nature of existence, where life and death continuously redefine each other.

"Élet (Alive)"
Medium: Silkscreen
Dimensions: 44 x 70 cm
Year: 1990-2000

"Halal (Dead)"
Medium: Silkscreen
Dimensions: 44 x 70 cm
Year: 1990-2000

"Wreality (Waloság)"
Medium: Thought advertisement in the art magazine Müértö
Year: 2004/06

In "Walóság", SI-LA-GI manipulates language to challenge notions of objective reality. By altering the Hungarian word "valóság", the artist underscores the malleability and subjectivity of what we perceive as real. The work's pink, cloud-like background evokes a dreamlike atmosphere, further emphasizing the fluidity between reality and illusion. 

"Dinner"
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: 89 x 63 cm
Year: 1991

"Fuck You"
Medium: Acrylic on newspaper
Dimensions: 20 x 29 cm
Year: 1981

"Gates of Suffering / A szenvedés kapui"
Medium: C-print
Year: 1995

"Jude"
Medium: Light transfer print
Dimensions: 90 x 63 cm
Year: 1996

"There is the Image No Problem, There is No Image No Problem - Thought Advertisement 2004/05"
Medium: Made for a monthly Art Magasin Müértö 
Year: 2004/05
Note: Each exists in C-print version 

"Ruined Kiss"
Medium: Graffic and lipstick
Dimensions: 70 x 143 cm
Year: 1980

"Venus"
Medium: Silkscreen and spray
Dimensions: 78 x 106 cm
Year: 1982

"Night of the Amateurs"
Medium: Acrylic and Chinese ink
Dimensions: 140 x 100 cm
Year: 2010

"Sky Rabbits"
Medium: Chinese ink, acrylic, and spray
Dimensions: 106 x 78 cm
Year: 2009

"10000 Bartok"
Medium: Gouache on newspaper and acrylic
Dimensions: 41 x 57 cm
Year: 1981

"Looking through Art History" (detail)
Medium: Print
Dimensions: 42 x 29 cm
Year: 1982

In this series of approximately 40 pieces by SI-LA-GI, a bold, black brushstroke frames a window which has been placed on it, on art history book, revealing fragments of famous artworks. 

"Looking through Art History" (detail)
Medium: Print
Dimensions: 42 x 29 cm
Year: 1982

"Dream Flowers"
Medium: Chinese ink, calligraphy
Dimensions: 100 x 70 cm
Year: 2011

In this work from SI-LA-GI's calligraphy series, bold black brushstrokes dance across the page, punctuated by vibrant red stamp impressions of the Japanese word "yume" meaning "dream”. These stamps, scattered like blossoms or fruits, transform the artwork into a metaphorical landscape where dreams flourish. The juxtaposition of abstract brushwork with symbolic stamps invites viewers to explore the interplay between form and meaning, reflecting on how dreams manifest in tangible ways. 

"Dream Flowers"
Medium: Chinese ink, calligraphy
Dimensions: 100 x 70 cm
Year: 2011

"Anarchy Utopia Revolution"
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: 70 x 100 cm
Year: 2014

"Subways"
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: 1985

In "Subways," SI-LA-GI layers a subway map over a fragmented Renaissance painting, creating a visual dialogue that invites reflections on time, history, and the journey of life. The map symbolizes movement from one point to another, while the artwork beneath evokes the past. Together, they suggest the complex interplay of past and present, the known and unknown, as we navigate through the "subways" of our own existence.

"Made in China"

SI-LA-GI's artwork features drawing of a white T-shirt splattered with red, evocatively resembling blood, overlaid with the words "MADE IN CHINA." This piece critically engages with the brutal reality of China's invasion and occupation of Tibet, reflecting on themes of repression and control. Additionally, it addresses the broader implications of global trade dynamics, symbolizing the aggressive economic strategies employed by China. The visceral imagery and bold textual statement invite viewers to contemplate the intersections of violence, politics, and commerce in contemporary society.

"Body and the Space"
Medium: Silkscreen and spray on paper
Dimensions: 72 x 51 cm
Year: Between 1980 and 1990

"Fairy Tale"
Medium: Light transfer print
Dimensions: 76 x 56 cm
Year: 1981

SI-LA-GI’s artwork ""Fairy Tale"  juxtaposes an altered fairy tale image with an abstract drawing. By inverting the original image, the artist discovers a hidden face, symbolizing how altered perspectives reveal new interpretations. The mirrored freehand drawing on the right emphasizes this transformation. This piece explores the theme of perception and its fluidity, illustrating how changing viewpoints can lead to entirely different understandings. 

"Fairy Tale"
Medium: Light transfer print
Dimensions: 76 x 56 cm
Year: 1981

"No Title"
Medium: Oil on newspaper
Dimensions: 29 x 40 cm
Year: 1984

"Breaking News"
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 197 x 280 cm
Year: 2007

"Twin Towers"
Medium: Crayon and ink on newspaper
Dimensions: 28 x 38 cm
Year: 1981

"Form is Emptiness, Emptiness Itself is a Form"
Medium: Crayon and pastel on newspaper
Dimensions: 43 x 24 cm
Year: 198x

"From Where to Where" (with Tamara Varga)
Year: 2014

"32 Mistakes" (32 different pieces)
Medium: Silkscreen, crayon, and spray
Dimensions: 75 x 52 cm
Year: 1982

"Intuition - Perception - Thinking - Emotion"
Medium: C-print
Year: 1996

"Crystal Wheel"
Medium: Chinese ink
Dimensions: 105 x 75 cm
Year: 2014

"2x Half-Elvis"
Medium: Acrylic on newspaper
Dimensions: 20 x 28 cm
Year: 1991

Series: Lie - Hazugság (12 pictures)
Medium: C-print
Dimensions: 50 x 70 cm each
Year: 2002

In these series, a Mercedes calendar is repurposed to juxtapose luxury imagery with provocative text. Each month features a model car paired with words like "EGYÜTTÉRZÉS" (Compassion) and "HAZUGSÁG" (Lie),” GYOMORRONTÁS” (Upset Stomach) creating a stark contrast between the opulence of the visuals and the moral or ethical connotations of the words. This tension prompts viewers to reflect on the underlying messages about consumerism and societal values, encouraging deeper contemplation about the dissonance between appearances and reality.

Series: Lie - Hazugság (12 pictures)
Medium: C-print
Dimensions: 50 x 70 cm each
Year: 2002

Browse SI-LA-GI's paper-based artworks. See how he combines Eastern and Western influences, personal reflections, and societal themes in various scales.

SI-LA-GI: Works on Paper | Swedish Hungarian Artist

SI-LA-GI employs photography in three ways: documentary, situational, and observational. His documentary photos capture actions and events with specific messages. Situational photography involves staged scenarios to explore themes. Observational photos reveal hidden and symbolic aspects of daily life, highlighting details and messages that aren&#39;t immediately obvious. Through his lens, SI-LA-GI magnifies these subtleties, inviting viewers to uncover deeper meanings.Editor&#39;s Note: Over the course of his six-decade career, SI-LA-GI created thousands of artworks, and only a very small selection is displayed in this album.<a href="/artworks/">Back to &quot;Artworks by medium&quot;</a>

Photography

"Happiness and Suffering are Similar, Both Transitory I / Boldogság és szenvedés hasonló mindkettö mulandó I"
Medium: Photography
Dimensions: 100 x 70 cm

Related text: https://www.si-la-gi.com/artwork-happiness-and-suffering/

"Offering / Felajánlás"
Medium: Photography (Performance) 
Dimensions: 30 x 40 cm
Year: 1993

"Time Making / Idő készítés"
Medium: Silver gelatin photography 
Dimensions: 30 x 40 cm
Year: 1993

"Jude [Zsidó]"
Medium: C-print
Year: 1996

"Happiness and Suffering are Similar, Both Transitory II / Boldogság és szenvedés hasonló mindkettö mulandó II"
Medium: Photography
Dimensions: 80 x 130 cm
Year: 1996

Related text: https://www.si-la-gi.com/artwork-happiness-and-suffering/

"Chair and What Isn't / Szék és ami nincs"
Medium: Scratch drawing on Cibachrome photography (Kapart rajz cibachrome fotográfián)
Dimensions: 70 x 100 cm
Year: 1994

"There is the Image No Problem, There is No Image No Problem"
Medium: Made for a monthly Art Magasin (Müértö)
Year: 2004/05
Note: Each exists in C-print version

"Spring Tale"
Medium: C-print,
Year: 2004-2005
Note: made for Müértö / Art Expert Magasin

"I Am Talking to You"
Medium: C-print,
Year: 2004-2005
Note: made for Müértö / Art Expert Magasin

a black and white photo of a building with a sign ART on it

"Art America Absolute Anarchy"
Year: 198x


"Abstract Life I / Absztrakt élet I"
Medium: C-print
Year: 2006

"Abstract Life II / Absztrakt élet II"
Medium: C-print
Year: 2006

"Dream about Thinking / Álom a gondolkodásról"
Medium: C-print
Dimensions: 70 x 100 cm
Year: 1999

"Suffering of the Suffering [A szenvedés szenvedése]"
Medium: C-print
Dimensions: 120 x 100 cm

"Ritual III / Rítus III"
Medium: Cibachrome photography mounted on aluminium
Dimensions: 120 x 150 cm
Year: 1994

"Heart Sutra / Szív-Szútra"
Medium: C-print mounted on aluminum
Dimensions: 126 x 162 cm
Year: 2000

↳ In this powerful performance piece, SI-LA-GI physically engages with the Heart Sutra, a sacred Buddhist text, by writing it on the wall in charcoal and then imprinting it onto his naked back. The artist subsequently erases portions of the text using a sponge, creating circular voids that evoke the impermanence and cyclical nature of existence

"Traum vom Denken"
From exhibition at Galerie de Luxembourg (Luxembourg), 1996

"Tower of Silence / A Csend Tornya"
Medium: C-print
Year: 1999

Documentary, situational, and observational. Discover how the contemporary artist captures hidden meanings and everyday symbolism through his lens.

SI-LA-GI: Photography  | Swedish Hungarian Artist

SI-LA-GI is a pioneer in the use of mixed media, blending materials in innovative and non-traditional ways. His approach allows him to explore the interplay between different textures and forms, creating pieces that are both visually striking and conceptually rich. His mixed media works break conventional boundaries, reflecting his commitment to continuous experimentation and reinvention.Editor&#39;s Note: Over the course of his six-decade career, SI-LA-GI created thousands of artworks, and only a very small selection is displayed in this album.<a href="/artworks/">Back to &quot;Artworks by medium&quot;</a>

Misc. and Mixed Media

"1 Meter Jude & 1 Meter Hungarian (Magyar)"
Medium: Broidery on textile (clothing labels)
Dimensions: 100 x 50 cm
Year: 2000

In this thought-provoking work, SI-LA-GI employs the familiar format of clothing labels to challenge notions of identity, ethnicity and categorization. By juxtaposing the words "Jude" (Jew) and "Magyar" (Hungarian) on mass-produced labels in various sizes, the artist highlights the absurdity and danger of reducing individuals to simplistic labels. SI-LA-GI is inviting viewers to reflect on the complexities of identity and the implications of labeling in both personal and commercial contexts.

"Buy One, Get One Free (Egyet fizet, kettőt kap)"
Medium: Wood frame, textile flags
Year: 2006

"HALLhatatlan - Diptych"
Medium: Silkscreen
Dimensions: 150 x 178 cm
Year: 1991

"Last Supper (Detail) [Utolsó vacsora - részlet]"
Medium: Silkscreen, glasses, wine, clothes
Dimensions: 80 x 926 x 25 cm
Year: 1995

↳ In this immersive installation, SI-LA-GI reinterprets Leonardo da Vinci's iconic "Last Supper" by focusing on the table and its symbolic elements. By offering real wine and bread for participants to consume, the artist invites viewers to become active participants in the artwork, blurring the boundaries between art and life. This interactive experience transforms the traditional, static representation into a shared, meditative moment, encouraging reflection on the themes of communion, nourishment, and the sacred within the everyday. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for contemplation, inviting us to think and feel what it would be like if this were our last meal.

"Tea for Anyone"
Medium: Rusted iron
Dimensions: 230 x 30 cm
Year: 1993

"Nothing [Semmi]"
Medium: Iron, photos, color cells
Dimensions: 522 x 93 cm
Year: 1992

"Inner Doors [Belsö kapuk]"
Medium: Photo, rusted iron
Dimensions: 70 x 100 cm
Year: 1993

Photograph Taken at Hanging Garden Exhibition - Fészek Galéria - Budapest, Hungary, 2000

This artwork transforms a mundane carpet duster into a spiritual medium. By inscribing the sacred Heart Sutra, a sacred Buddhist text,  onto the object's twisting form, the artist imbues it with the power to cleanse not just physical spaces, but the mind itself. This thought-provoking piece invites viewers to contemplate the parallels between external and internal purification, bridging the gap between the material and the transcendent.

"Dying Warrior (Haldokló Harcos)"
Medium: Xerox
Dimensions: 178 x 294 cm
Year: 1982

In this provocative series from the early 1980s, SI-LA-GI employs Xerox technology to capture fragmented images of his own body in the pose of a dying warrior. By appropriating and deconstructing the classical motif through the lens of modern reproduction, the artist confronts themes of mortality, identity, and the mechanization of the human form. The disjointed, ghostly images challenge viewers to reassess their perceptions of the body and its representations.

"Condition (Kondició)"
Medium: Xerox paint on paper
Dimensions: 60 x 120 cm
Year: 1982

"Intrinsic Value [Lényegi érték]"
Medium: Laser cut rusted iron
Dimensions: 73 cm Ø
Year: 1992/93

In this piece from his laser-cut iron series, SI-LA-GI presents a circular form with letters either "sinking" or "emerging," encapsulating the fluidity of beginnings and endings. This dynamic interplay reflects the artist's engagement with themes of transformation and continuity. 

"Intrinsic Value [Lényegi érték]"
Medium: Laser cut rusted iron
Dimensions: 73 cm Ø
Year: 1992/93

"Without Title"
Medium: Rusted, gilded iron
Dimensions: 88 x 95 cm
Year: 1993

"Air"
Medium: Earth (with plastic)
Dimensions: 70 x 43 cm
Year: 198x

In "Water" and "Air," SI-LA-GI explores the interplay of natural elements by inscribing these essential words using soil

"Water"
Medium: Earth (with plastic)
Dimensions: 70 x 43 cm
Year: 198x

"Intrinsic Value III [Lényegi érték]"
Medium: Chromate iron
Dimensions: 78 cm Ø
Year: 1992/93

"Intrinsic Value [Lényegi érték]"
Medium: Rusted iron
Dimensions: 73 cm Ø
Year: 1992/93

"Mirror of the Void"
Medium: Rusted, gilded iron, acrylic on glass
Dimensions: Ø 178 cm
Year: 1992/93

"Intuition - Perception - Thinking - Emotion / Intuició - Érzékelés - Gondolkozás - Érzelem"
Medium: C-print
Year: 1996

"Bridge - Tribute to Andy Warhol"
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: [Year not specified]

"Ritual I Form of Worship (Ritualé I)"
Medium: Xerox
Dimensions: 220 x 150 cm
Year: 1982

"Bon / Mal [Jó / Rossz]"
Medium: Silkscreen, Xerox, cardboard, acrylic
Dimensions: 220 x 230 cm
Year: 1983/98

"Never Opened-Possibilities I [Soha ki nem nyitott lehetőségek I]"
Medium: Telephone directory (Stockholm)
Year: 2003

This work features an unopened telephone catalog from Sweden, encased in a transparent foil. The four volumes, intended to connect people, remain forever unused. ready made

"Apology"
Year: 2008

In this thought-provoking text-based artwork, SI-LA-GI and an historian chronicle the conflicts between European nations throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Each line features a list of countries apologizing to others, creating a tapestry of reconciliation and understanding. By reframing historical conflicts through the lens of apology, the artist invites viewers to consider the transformative power of empathy, forgiveness, and open dialogue.

"I Apologize to You > You Apologize to Him > He Apologizes to Me"
Year: 2008

CHÖSHI / State of Mind 2003 / Video
Three homeless individuals in a grave...
speaking about their pain and vulnerability
and the shakuhachi cries for them, instead of them
(shakuhachi played by Laurie Kaszas Sogawa)

SI-LA-GI - Refuge / 108 Thousand Prostrations (1999)
This piece is part of a large installation by SI-LA-GI. It features 108,000 prostrations completed during a six-month retreat in a Kagyu monastery.

In 2001, SI-LA-GI auctioned a day of his life, encapsulated in this legal contract. The buyer was entitled to utilize his day as desired, barring any criminal or violent actions. This conceptual artwork explores themes of time, ownership, and personal autonomy. The events of that purchased day remain undisclosed.

"Plan for a Trash Sculpture (Szemét szobor terv) / Men's Trash & Women's Trash, Neutral Trash / Férfi szemet, női szemet, semleges szemét"
Year: 2001

Delve into SI-LA-GI's mixed media art. See how this Hungarian-Swedish artist combines various elements to create works that challenge conventional artistic norms.

SI-LA-GI: Mixed Media Works | Swedish Hungarian Artist

SI-LA-GI&rsquo;s sculptures and installations are marked by their use of unconventional materials, in rare cases even including human blood and mother&rsquo;s milk. Notable among these is a seven-meter installation on a lake, which utilizes various elements to create a dynamic and ever-changing visual form. The artist also recontextualizes everyday objects, giving them new meaning and encouraging viewers to see the familiar in a different light.Editor&#39;s Note: Over the course of his six-decade career, SI-LA-GI created thousands of artworks, and only a very small selection is displayed in this album.<a href="/artworks/">Back to &quot;Artworks by medium&quot;</a>

Sculptures and Installations

"Human Blood & Mother Milk"
Medium: Human blood, Mother milk, bottles.
Year: 2007

"A thought troubles me, that a thought troubles me." 
[Egy gondolat bánt engemet, hogy egy gondolat bánt engemet.]"
Medium: Mixed media
Details: 23 installed objects (2 x 11 pieces + 1)
Dimensions: 700 x 700 x 500 cm
Year: 1991/95
Exhibition picture

"Last Supper (Detail) [Utolsó vacsora - részlet]"
Medium: Silkscreen, glasses, wine, clothes
Dimensions: 80 x 926 x 25 cm
Year: 1995

In this immersive installation, SI-LA-GI reinterprets Leonardo da Vinci's iconic "Last Supper" by focusing on the table and its symbolic elements. By offering real wine and bread for participants to consume, the artist invites viewers to become active participants in the artwork, blurring the boundaries between art and life. This interactive experience transforms the traditional, static representation into a shared, meditative moment, encouraging reflection on the themes of communion, nourishment, and the sacred within the everyday. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for contemplation, inviting us to think and feel what it would be like if this were our last meal.

"Foreplay [Előjáték]"
Medium: Stainless iron, compressed air, burning gas
Dimensions: 700 x 700 x 450 cm
Year: 2000
ART Herald of the new Millennium - Varosliget Lake (Budapest) 

"Dwarf & Limits [Törpe & Határok]"
Medium: Painted wood, dwarf
Year: 1981

Hanging Garden Exhibition  
Fészek Galéria, Budapest 
Year: 2000

"Book of Knowledge I-II / A tudás könyve I-II"
Medium: Neon, bread, books
Year: 1978


"A Art-America-Anarchy"
Medium: Spray on canvas, wood chair
Year: 1980/2006

"Game Over (A játéknak vége)"
Medium: Wood table, color cells with text
Year: 2002

"Not a Fountain but Urinal"
"Ce n’est pas une fontaine, mais un urinoir"
"Nem szökőkút hanem vizelde"
Medium: Hand-painted porcelain
Year: 2006/07

"Picasso, SI-LA-GI"
Medium: Metal
Year: 2007

"A Hajó / The Ship"
Medium: Ceramic and porcelain
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: 2016

Explore SI-LA-GI's unconventional sculptures and installations. Discover how this contemporary artist uses unique materials and natural elements to create immersive, multi-sensory experiences.

SI-LA-GI: Sculptures & Installations | Swedish Hungarian Artist

SI-LA-GI engages with artists from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Tibetan Lamas, young Thai and Chinese artists, Hungarian artists, and street artists. These collaborations are not merely exchanges of ideas but intense, inspiring dialogues conducted through the artworks themselves. By inviting other artists to converse &quot;on the canvas,&quot; SI-LA-GI fosters a dynamic interplay of perspectives that result in surprising and powerful outcomes. These collaborative works highlight his belief in the importance of cultural exchange and the potential of art to bridge differences.

Artistic Collaborations

"America Settlement I [Amerika Lakópark I]"
Artists: SI-LA-GI with JOK (Daniel Csepku)
Medium: Acrylic on canvas, spray paint
Dimensions: 197 x 280 cm
Year: 2002-2003

"America Settlement 2 [Amerika Lakópark 2]"
Artists: SI-LA-GI with GMOE (Gergö Keseru)
Medium: Acrylic on canvas, spray paint
Dimensions: 197 x 280 cm
Year: 2002-2003

"Honeydrops in Salty Sea I [Mézcseppek sós tengerben I]"
Artists: SI-LA-GI with Pal Gerber, Imre Kovacs, SLOW (Daniel Szentkiralyi)
Medium: Acrylic on canvas, Barum tyre
Dimensions: 197 x 280 cm
Year: 2007

"Life and Art are Full of Accidents" (with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: 290 x 215 cm
Year: 2015

"Roaring Lions"
Collaborative work by H.E. Beru Khyentse Rinpoche and SI-LA-GI
Medium: Calligraphy
Dimensions: 200 cm x 580 cm
Year: 2007


"Entry, Entrance (Just Don't Do It) [Bejárat, Bejárat]"
Artists: SI-LA-GI with Grin (Sylvain Bertrand)
Medium: Charcoal, spray paint, acrylic on canvas, paper, wire netting
Dimensions: 197 x 280 cm
Year: 2007

"Pay Attention Now" (with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: 200 x 288 cm
Year: 2015

"Untitled"
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: 150 x 200 cm
Year: 2015

"Sky Horizon Ocean" (with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: 156 x 212 cm
Year: 2015

"KOANS" Exhibition at Tang Contemporary Art Gallery
Artists: SI-LA-GI and Tawan Wattuya
Location: Bangkok
Date: March 2014

"Untitled"
Artists: Tawan Wattuya and SI-LA-GI
Dimensions: 150 x 200 cm
Year: 2015

"Akcio -200% Honey-Drops in Salty Sea II"
Artists: SI-LA-GI, Pal Gerber, JOCK (Daniel Csepku)
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 197 x 280 cm
Year: 2007

"Good and Bad"
Artists: Cooperation work with Tawan Wattuya and Thai Art Students in Bangkok
Medium: Painting on canvas
Dimensions: 235 x 286 cm
Year: 2008

"Sky Horizon Ocean" (with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: 160 x 212 cm
Year: 2015

"It Did Not Come from Anywhere. Not Going Anywhere. Just for a Moment" (cooperated work with Tawan Wattuya and Amnaj Wachirasut)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: 2010

"Untitled" (with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: Acrylic
Dimensions: 100 x 70 cm
Year: 2010

"Talking & Thinking" (cooperated work with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: 2010

"Untitled" (cooperated work with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: 2010

"Bangkok - Budapest" (cooperated work with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: 2010

"Art and Life" (with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: Paper, crayon
Dimensions: 66 x 50 cm
Year: 2015

"09-11 Ocean" (with Tawan Wattuya, Racmolnar Sándor)
Medium: Paper
Dimensions: 100 x 70 cm
Year: 2015

"2015-09-11" (with Tawan Wattuya, Racmolnar Sándor)
Medium: Paper
Dimensions: 100 x 70 cm
Year: 2015

"Dream of a Pigeon" (with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: Paper
Dimensions: 76 x 56 cm
Year: 2015
1/2

"Dream of a Pigeon" (with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: Paper
Dimensions: 76 x 56 cm
Year: 2015
2/2

"The Wind Blew Up and Blew Apart" (cooperated work with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: 2010

"Milerepa" (with Beru Khyentse Rinpoche)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: 2007

"Untitled" (with Beru Khyentse Rinpoche)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: 2007

"Dharma" (with His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: 75 x 105 cm
Year: 2011

"OM AH HUNG" (with Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: 2009

"Karmapa" (cooperated work with HE Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche)
Medium: [Medium not specified]
Dimensions: [Dimensions not specified]
Year: 2009

"Untitled" (with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: Ink and acrylic
Dimensions: 72 x 100 cm
Year: 2015

"Ocean" (with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: Paper
Dimensions: 90 x 63 cm
Year: 2015

"Untitled" (with Tawan Wattuya)
Medium: Paper
Dimensions: 75 x 106 cm
Year: 2015

Explore SI-LA-GI's collaborative artworks. Discover how he engages with diverse artists worldwide, creating dynamic pieces that bridge cultures through visual dialogue.

SI-LA-GI: Artistic Collaborations | Swedish Hungarian Artist

Explore SI-LA-GI's artworks categorized by medium. View paintings, works on paper, sculptures, installations, mixed media, collaborative pieces, and photography.

SI-LA-GI's Art by Medium - 1964 to present