BIO | PolyakArt

1991

Biography

Peter’s journey as an artist began in the most natural way—through the simple joys of childhood. He won his first painting competition in kindergarten, that marked the start of a lifelong passion for creativity. By the age of 12, Peter was already exploring the worlds of music and fine art, dedicating himself to both with equal enthusiasm. His dedication bore fruit early, leading to his first exhibition at the age of 13.

As he progressed through his education, Peter’s love for art only deepened. He chose to pursue his fine art studies beyond elementary school based workshops, eventually graduating from art high school with a focus on graphic art and design. In 2001, he earned his diploma in art teaching, a testament to his commitment to both learning and sharing his knowledge with others.

While working on his first music album, "The word begs for silence," Peter discovered a new passion—video editing, producing, and directing. These skills not only complemented his music but also enriched his exhibitions, which he continued to hold across Hungary, in cities like Budapest, Kiskőrös, and Békéscsaba. Always eager to innovate, Peter began creating short films to accompany his exhibition opening nights, often integrating live music to create a truly immersive experience. His first short film, "I'm Not an Artist," was a collaborative effort with his friends under the name "Újlenyomat" ("New Mark"). The film’s impact was so profound that it became part of the educational program at Kodolányi János University of Applied Sciences.

At the age of 19, Peter received a remarkable opportunity to work with László Patay, a respected mural master painter and former Head of the Anatomy Department at the University of Fine Arts in Hungary. Assisting in the creation of a new secco in St. Anna Székesegyház in Debrecen, Peter learned invaluable lessons under Patay’s guidance. The collaboration extended over three more projects, covering over 500 square meters of secco paintings.

In 2007, Peter embarked on a new chapter, moving to Florida, USA. There, he had the privilege of learning airbrush painting from Dru Blair in South Carolina. Throughout his journey, Peter’s unique style has been shaped by the influences of several masters, including László Patay, Matteo Massagrande, Dru Blair, Pál Gerzson, Patric Guyton, Adam Scott Rote, and Benjamin Makovecz.

Peter’s path has been one of continuous learning and humble dedication to his craft. His work reflects a deep respect for tradition, combined with a willingness to explore new forms of expression. Today, Peter continues to create, always driven by a quiet but unyielding passion for art.

One of the very first drawings from 1992

A drawing from his first exhibition in 1992

2022- Jungle of your Heart surreal series
Peter Polyak’s art is an ongoing journey of exploration—physically, emotionally, and creatively. By confronting the unknown, from uprooting his life in Hungary to delving into his subconscious, he taps into universal consciousness and self-discovery. His work invites viewers to reflect on their own hidden truths, offering revelations that connect deeply and personally

Artist Statement
I have always been an explorer in life and my art, physically and emotionally traveling to
places that may fill me with insecurity about the unknown, but I feel compelled to
experience. And, as an unintended benefit I’ve discovered, to share with others who
look at my work and see aspects of their own journeys and outcomes.
In life, that meant uprooting myself from a privileged life in Hungary to the extreme
uncertainty of the United States, the world’s most unforgiving marketplace for artists.
In my art, exploration means struggling to navigate the most frightening frontier of all,
my own subconscious. Along with my personal experiences and motivations, I believe
that through my creative process I can access a universal consciousness that exists
outside the physical plane and contains the sum total of all human experience.
I say “struggle” because I’m often tempted to pursue another skill set, making videos.
It’s a more immediate form of gratification than revising a painting over and over for as
long as it takes to hit the sweet spot where I know I am communicating exactly what I
intended. Not to be shown to the public, but to show me what my subconscious insists
that I fully understand about it for the first time.
A compliment once paid my work that means a lot to me is that my finished pieces
reflect an integrity demanding transparency and brutal honesty about my myself in
perhaps my weakest or darkest discovery as the benchmark of accomplishment. What
have I learned about myself that I did not know before? And what have I been able to
show a viewer about themselves that may have been a similar revelation?
My exploration has no final destination. But it’s a journey of self-discovery that pays off
like a slot machine, always unexpectedly and with a great sense of joy on my part.