TIBOR HUSZÁR: GYPSIES

When photographer Tibor Huszár published his photographic art book Gypsies some time ago, it immediately became clear that the view of Roma living in Slovakia had gained an entirely new quality and new dimensions. It was practically the first time that the life, customs, traditions, glamour, and above all the poverty of this ethnic group were depicted in such a visual form, with such depth, richness, authenticity, unfeigned social truth, and strong artistic value. Thanks to its honesty and originality, the book became not only a unique phenomenon but, in its own way, a bestseller—something not usually expected from a publication of this type.

Since the release of the first book, much has changed, and Tibor Huszár himself has changed as well. He has taken further steps on his path toward mastery, bringing photography almost within reach of the absolute. His expression is more convincing than reality, more truthful than life; it is, in fact, the truth about life, not a mere copy of it. The status and way of existence of the Roma people have also partly changed. The chasm of misunderstanding with the majority population seems to have deepened. Alienation springs from a lack of understanding of the Roma mentality, their traditions, customs, and feelings. Tibor Huszár knows these traditions, customs, and feelings all too well, and yet it seemed that he would have nothing more to say about them.