World renowned artist "inspired" by the Bailiwick

Wednesday 21 February 2018

A Hungarian artist, who is gaining world notoriety, started his craft with models bought from the Guernsey model shop, before capturing many of his images in Herm.

Péter Csákvári spent two years working on ‘Tiny Wasteland’, which are photos of a miniature world created by pairing tiny figures, before posing them alongside everyday objects.

A trained chef, and food photographer, Mr Csákvári worked for a season at the White House Hotel in Herm as a chef, between March and October 2016, to help fund his then photography hobby. 

Mr Csákvári said: "I have always been a keen photographer and wanted to create something different.

"Whilst working on Herm I made numerous trips to Guernsey, and on one of them I visited the model shop in Fountain Street. I saw the model railway figures and it was then that I had the idea to photograph them with food to create unique images.

"I bought around 4 or 5 sets of figures to help create situations that people had never seen before, using mundane objects or familiar food."

Pictured: John Cox from the Guernsey Model Shop

John Cox who owns the local model shop, said he was aware models sold in his shop were used by people with many different hobbies:

"I have been in business for over 50 years, and supplied people with items all over the world in that time. It is amazing the quirky things people do, which nowadays are considered 'art.' I meet all sorts of people with constructive hobbies."

The first image that Mr Csákvári created was called 'Blueberry workers'. It was captured in Herm using items found on the island and locally purchased blueberries. Mr Csákvári he was inspired by the peace on the island and "went to shoot the image on a rock on the way up to the village. I wanted to create something new, basically a whole new world in a tiny spot."

Pictured: A photo of Mr Csákvári taking the main image 'Blueberry workers' on the granite in Herm

Staff from Herm were aware of what Mr Csákvári was trying to create and with every new idea they were set challenges to find different items which he could use within his photos.

He said: "Everyone in Herm loved the photos and even helped me find flies and different items I needed. Many have since messaged me to say they have seen my work. The pastry chef found my bee for the 'where is your honey bitch?' photo and it was taken in the staff accommodation."

Pictured: 'Where is your honey bitch?' with bee found by pastry chef

Mr Csákvári said: "Everyone who has seen them has been really complimentary and my former colleagues in Herm are proud that they have been a part of this. I am still amazed by how they have been shared around the world."  

As well as being seen in Europe and the UK, his photos have also been featured on Mexican TV and a magazine in Cuba.  His work has also appeared in the Sony World Photography Awards at Somerset House in London.

Some of the scenes created are slightly sinister and some humorous, with all given a title to encapsulate the story he aims to portray.

Pictured: Photo entitled 'Backspace'

Pictured: Photo entitled 'Dry Hard'

Pictured: Photo entitled 'Lake Sink'

Pictured: Photo entitled 'Sponge Mower'

Pictured: Photo entitled 'Killer Calories"

Pictured: Photo entitled 'Fly Roast'

Pictured: Photo entitled 'Sardinia Holidays'

Mr Csákvári will be sharing his work at an exhibition in Budapest in April, where more than 30 of his unique photos will be on show.

You can see more of his images on his Facebook site here.

Pictured main image: Photo entitled 'Blueberry workers'