About

Imrich Kovacs is a contemporary tattooer, painter and printmaker who specializes in intricate compositions with a saturated palette.
His work is sometimes called “ancient pop surrealism,” with a novelty that pulls reference from archeological collections around the world. He explores the potential for modernity within the deconstruction and repurposing of old imagery, fragments of symbols and patterns are layered atop each other, creating a dialogue between cultural touch points.

Kovacs’ paintings have been showcased by Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, and Czechdesign in Prague, as well as renowned institutions within his home nation of Slovakia. Within the modern tattooing community, he’s been invited for guest spots at top tier studios all across the EU, and earned awards from conventions in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Passionate and ever curious, Kovacs will never stop seeking new ways to push himself and to create something fresh.

Press

Exhibitions and participation

  • 2023 Les Galeries Lafayette, Dijon, France
  • 2023 MALBOGRAF, International symposium, Moravany nad Váhom, Slovakia
  • 2022 HoHoHo #5 collective exhibition, FUGA, Bratislava, Slovakia
  • 2022 Cvernamarket, Nová Cvernovka, Bratislava, Slovakia
  • 2021 Spatial Affairs (BA-Unrated), Ludwig Museum, Budapest, Hungary
  • 2021 Hybridné Telo, 4D Gallery, Galanta, Slovakia
  • 2021 Artattack, Nová Cvernovka, Bratislava, Slovensko
  • 2020 HoHoHo #3 collective exhibition, FUGA, Bratislava, Slovakia
  • 2020 Wayfinding (BA-Unrated), NEXT Advanced Music Festival, A4, Bratislava, Slovakia
  • 2020 PL._(akát) Czechdesign, Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2020 SolidArty auction, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London, England
  • 2020 ZKRUHU charity auction, Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2019 ZKRUHU #9, KC Dunaj, Bratislava, Slovakia
  • 2016 The children of Delta, audio-visual performance: RecPlay/Besorolás Alatt, Müszi, Budapest, Hungary
  • 2013  Jeune Creation Europeenne (group), Ville de Montrouge, France, Bonnefantenmuseum Maastricht, The Netherlands; Klaipeda Culture & Communication Centre, Lithuania; Como, Italy
  • 2013 Besorolás Alatt & Kaos Camping, audio-visual performance with live audio and analogue film projection, Florian Cinema, Budapest, Hungary
  • 2011 Art Muse Project, audio-visual performance: Sleep today for yesterday, Nordwolle Delmenhorst Industry Culture Museum, Germany
  • 2011 No one belongs here more than you (group), video installation: Sleep today for yesterday, Kunsthalle, Budapest, Hungary
  • 2010 BA 3D, 3D projection and live-performance, At Home Gallery, Šamorín, Slovak Republic
  • 2010 Relative Cross-Hearings Festival, live performance, Artus Theatre, Budapest, Hungary
  • 2010 BA 3D, 3D projection and live-performance, Millenáris Cultural Center, Budapest, Hungary
  • 2009 Separated spaces, audio-visual performance, HUFA Budapest, Hungary
  • 2009 Klang/Kunst/Konferenz München, Akademie der Bildenden Künste, München, Germany
  • 2009 Spew, audio-visual performance, Školska 28 Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2008 Audio-visual performance, Labor Gallery, Budapest, Hungary

Studies

  • 2004 – 2009 MA in Painting, Hungarian University of Fine Arts, Budapest, Hungary
  • 2008 Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Helsinki, Finland

Tattoo guest spots

  • 2023 Yoso, Paris, France
  • 2022 Malört, Malmö, Sweden
  • 2021 Noiia, Berlin, Germany
  • 2021 Le Gamin à Dix Doigts, Paris, France
  • 2021 Mubodyarts, Dijon, France
  • 2021 Dóra Berczi studio, Budapest, Hungary
  • 2020 Les Maux Bleus, Paris, France
  • 2020 Ink Donkey, Tel Aviv, Israel
  • 2019 Tattoofest Convention, Krakow, Poland
  • 2019 Bobek Tattoo, Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2019 Velvet Wolf Custom Ink – Budapest, Hungary
  • 2018 Mofo, Hong Kong, China
  • 2018 The Circle, London, England
  • 2018 Tattoofest Convention, Krakow, Poland
  • 2018 Red Couch, Milan, Italy
  • 2018 Inkoust, Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2018 Atelier Friedrich von Heyden, Vienna, Austria
  • 2018 Mubodyarts, Dijon, France
  • 2017 Sorry Mom, Braunschweig, Germany
  • 2017 1113 Tattoo, Graz, Austria
  • 2015 Siva Lobanja, Ljubljana, Slovenia
  • 2013 Sandy Domont studio, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Awards

  • 2019 Large Color 2nd Place, Tattoo Grand Prix Brno, Czech Republic
  • 2017 Small 2nd Place, Tattoo Show Prešov, Slovakia
  • 2015 Best of Small 2nd Place, Tattoo Košice Show, Slovakia
  • 2015 Best of Neotraditional / Old School 2nd Place, Tattoo Košice Show, Slovakia
  • 2014 Old School 1st Place, Tattoo Street Fest Bratislava, Slovakia
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