SERBAKOW TIBOR
Metal artist
He graduated from the Hungarian College of Applied Arts (MOME).
When Metal Artist Tibor Serbakow (Tibor M. Varga before 1994), who studied at the Moholy-Nagy University of Arts and Design under the guidance of Prof. József Engels and Prof. Vladimir Péter between 1985 and 1989, returned to his hometown, Pécs, he was employed between 1991 and 2001 as an art teacher at the Department of Sculpture, Faculty of Music and Visual Arts at Janus Pannonius University (since 2000 University of Pécs), where he continued his master studies of sculpture under the guidance of Prof. Sándor Rétfalvi. His works commissioned, among others, by Roman Catholic Churches and in different parts of the country reveal his respect for traditional techniques as well as the meticulous elaboration of the details. Serbakow’s jewels, on the one hand, represent an unconventional arhaicising approach to jewels as cultic objects and, on the other hand, idiosyncratic everday accessories expressing their owner’s character.
(Hungarian Applied Arts Magazin, 2010/2)
„A metal artist can comply with many sorts of social demands. He can prepare articles for personal use satisfying the needs of the masses, and moreover, can design, for instance, unique jewellery, candelabra, decorative vessels, jugs and figural reliefs, by carrying out orders of buyers’ wealthy groups having the highest artistic standards. Serbakow in the XXIth century completes cultic works by strictly observing the canonical rules according to millenial traditions, rigorously observing the rules of iconography, taking into consideration both written and unwritten rules of Christian art: episcopal crosses, processional crosses, tabernacles, baptismal fonts, church candlesticks, furthermore, medallions and reliefs. His work is complex. It is an area where constraints and artistic freedom are present at the same time. In the course of his work, a gold & silversmith artist uses precious materials, precious stones, semi-precious stones, gold, silver and precious wood in respect of its origin and derivation. He is a sculptor and craftsman rolled into one. In addition to their treasure value and sacred role, cultic objects act as articles for personal use and, in the hope of the infinity of times, they become benefits for the general public, in its service.”
(Kortárs Művészet Pécs {Contemporary Art Pécs} 2005, Alexandra Publishing, Dr. Ferenc Romváry)
Art Organisation Memberships:
- the Association of Hungarian Creative Artists
- the Association of Hungarian Fine and Applied Artists;
- Tibor Serbakow has been the president of the Goldsmith Department of the Association of Hungarian Fine and Applied Artists, since the 1st of December in 2022.
Prizes and Awards:
- St. Eligius Award (goldsmiths’ professional award), 2023
TELEVISION:
The opening speech of the artist at the XIV. Goldsmith Biennale:
Interview with the artist on his exhibition in the Basilica of Pécs:
Report with the artist about the situation of goldsmith art in Hungary:
http://www.mediaklikk.hu/video/felsos-2017-03-31-i-adas/
INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITIONS:
2023-2024 Basilica of Pécs (Hungary)
2023 Basilica of the Holy Blood, Ars Sacra, Báta (Hungary)
2023 Our Lady Church, Bátaszék (Hungary)
2013 House of Arts and Literature, Pécs (Hungary)
2013 Chapel of Pécsvárad Castle (Hungary)
2005 Blue Chapel, Balatonboglár (Hungary)
2004 Latinovits Zoltán Community Centre, Balatonszemes (Hungary)
2004 Art Gallery, Ferenczy Hall, Pécs
2001 Small Gallery of Pécs
1996 Wels, Austria
1995 FISE Gallery, Budapest
1994 Ferencváros Cellar Gallery, Budapest
1993 Small Gallery of Pécs
1990 House of Arts, Chamber Exhibition, Pécs
1988 Ságvári Endre Community Centre, Pécs
GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
He has actively participated in several national and foreign exhibitions, e.g. with FISE, Austria, Germany, Italy, Estonia, metalsmith biennials, Art Exhibitions of Baranya County and Pécs (Hungary), thematic exhibitions.
2023 – XIV. Goldsmith Biennale, Klebelsberg Cultural Centre, Budapest
2022 – Palace of Art, Budapest, II. National Salon for Applied Artists and Design Artists 2022, Common Space Exhibition.
2021 – XIII. Goldsmith Biennale, Klebelsberg Cultural Centre, Budapest
2019 – XII. Goldsmith Biennale, Klebelsberg Cultural Centre, Budapest
2019 – Pécs, M21 Gallery, Exhibition entitled “Review”; exhibitors: the artists of Pécs-Baranya (Hungary).
2017 – XI. Goldsmith Biennale, Klebelsberg Cultural Centre, Budapest
2017 – Palace of Art, Budapest, National Salon for Applied Artists and Design Artists. Work of art exhibited: Easter Consecrating Well of Pécs Basilica
2017 – MAOE Exhibition entitled Chaos and Order , Szeged (Hungary), Reök Palace
2015 – X. Goldsmith Biennale, Budapest, Klebelsberg Kultúrkúria
2015 – Harmony exhibition, MAOE, Szentendre (Hungary)
2013 – IX. Goldsmith Biennale, Klebelsberg Cultural Centre, Budapest
2011 – VIII. Goldsmith Biennale, Klebelsberg Cultural Centre, Budapest
2010 – Goldsmith Exhibition, Szolnok (Hungary)
2009 – VII. Goldsmith Biennale, Klebelsberg Cultural Centre, Budapest
2006 – FISE exhibition entitled „Red, white, green nights”, Tallinn, Latvia
2004 – PBMT Dome Museum, Pécs (Hungary)
2003 – PBMT Újlipótváros, Budapest (Hungary)
2001 – Düsseldorf – Erkrath, FISE (Germany)
2001 – PBMT Synagogue, Zalaegerszeg (Hungary)
2000 – Pécs Gallery, Baranya Exhibition
1998 – Pécs Gallery – They started from the Art School of Pécs
1997 – FISE Gallery, Budapest, Exhibition entitled “Metal Workers”
1996 – Holocaust Exhibition, Pécs (Hungary), Small Gallery
1996 – Mittelmoda Italy, Gorizia (Italy)
1995 – Hungarian Days in Hamburg (Germany)
1994 – FISE, Hungarian Institute in Prague (Czech Republic)
1991 – 1994 FISE Ferencváros Cellar Gallery
1990 – Bačka Topola (Serbia)
1988 – Cultural Centre, Komló (Hungary)
WORKS OF ART IN PUBLIC COLLECTIONS:
2024 the redesign of the liturgical space of the Saint Donatus Chapel in Pécs and the beginning of its decorative works
2019-2022 Liturgical space re-design, Holy Blood Church, Báta (Hungary). Planning and implementation of the Liturgical space furnishings (Holy Blood Shrine, Altar, cleric’s chair (Sedes), deacon chairs and Ambo)
2020 Holy Oil Vessel set (OLEUM CATHECUMENORUM, OLEUM INFIRMORUM, OLEUM CHRISMA), for the St. Michael’s Basilica of Veszprém (Hungary): 3 Holy Oil Vessels (with the capacity of about 3 litres, sizes of each: 500x300x220mm); 3 Holy Oil Pourers (with the capacity of about 6 deciliters); and 3 Ladles. The Basilica of Veszprém is visible (frontal and back views) on the tops of the outer lids of the Holy Oil Vessels. Brass, bronze, red copper, silvered, metal pressings, drawing, embossing, chiselling, chasing.
2019 Implementation of the exterior and interior Reliquary for the National Shrine (red copper, bronze, metal, glass, partially gilded, embossed, chiselled, 470x200x200mm), Holy Blood Church, Báta (Hungary).
2019 Tabernacle decoration (brass, red copper, bronze, partially gilded, 840x620x25mm), Saint Barbara’s Church, Komló (Hungary)
2018 Dr. Kertész Imre-prize, for the Hungarian Institute for Forensic Sciences (bronze), 355x120x75mm
2017 Church Relief , “The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit” (red copper, chiselled, embossed, folded, unique technique, 454x120x258cm), Pécs Rácváros Church (on the new western wing of the church)
2017 Planning of the exterior and interior Reliquary for the National Shrine, Holy Blood Church, Báta (Hungary)
2017 Planning of the Liturgical Space for the National Shrine, Holy Blood Church, Báta (Hungary)
2016 Tabernacle door (brass, bronze, metal embossing, chiselled), 400-Bed Clinical Center of the University of Pécs, Chapel
2015-2016 Ceiling decoration, Pécs Donátus Chapel. Sixteen pieces of coffer ornaments (brass, red copper), brass embossing, chiselled, chasing, folds, mechanical work, millings.
2015 Easter Consecrating Well (red copper, brass, bronze, steel, chiselled, embossed, folded. Adornments: figural and ornamental decorations), Basilica of Pécs (Hungary)
2014 World War II Memorial (relief, bronze, Hungarian Süttő limestone), Pécs
2014 Three Main Ceiling Chandeliers (brass, red copper), Pius Church, Pécs
2014 Mobile Decorative Collection Box (steel, brass, red copper, bronze), 65x65x104 cm, Basilica of Pécs
2012 Seven Branch Chandeliers (brass), Pécs Pius Church
2011 Chapel of Discalced Carmelites, 2 Ambons (red copper, partially gilded), Magyarszék (Hungary)
2008 Eight Branch Chandeliers of Aisles (brass), Pius Church, Pécs
2007 Stations of the Cross Paintings (oil painting, wood), Roman Catholic Church, Vásárosdombó (Hungary)
2007 Corpus Screen (steel, bronze, red copper, brass, partially gilded), Pius Church, Pécs
2006 Inner Decorative Gate Railing (steel, bronze, brass, partially gilded), Pius Church, Pécs
2003 Mother Mary with her Child Jesus, painted wooden sculpture, Don Bosco Religious House, Balassagyarmat (Hungary)
2003 Easter-candlestick (brass, red copper, partially gilded), Church of Ürög, Pécs
2001 Missal Cover (silver, partially enamelled and gilded), Basilica of Pécs
2000 Oil Vessels (red copper, silvered red copper), Kaposvár (Hungary), Bishopric of Kaposvár:
– Bishop’s Ring;
– Chalice with Two Covers (silvered red copper, gold, gilded silver)
1999 Preliminary Processional Cross for the 1000th anniversary of the Basilica of Pécs, Hungary (silver, partially gilded, with precious and semi-precious stones, genuine pearls, partially enamelled)
1996 Pro Libertate Commemorative Medal (bronze), (for Diplomatic Corps), Pécs (Hungary)
1994 Decorative Fountain, Water-Spout (bronze), Vác (Hungary)
1993 Baptismal Font Cover, Pécs, Rácváros Church:
– Saint John the Baptist sculpture and relief (bronze, red copper)
1992-2004 Sixty-four Branch Chandelier (steel, brass, partially gilded), Rácváros Church, Pécs
1992 Tabernacle House, “The Outpouring” (gilded red copper embossing with genuine pearls; gilded bronze plastic artwork on the upper part of the Tabernacle), Church of Patacs, Pécs
1989 Preliminary Processional Cross (gilded brass wood, with precious and semi-precious stones), Devotional Church, Máriabesnyő (Hungary)
