Biography

Judit Szendrei’s artistic journey did not follow the conventional path of early immersion and formal training. She balances multiple roles—an economist by profession, a mother of three, and an artist who discovered her creative passion later in life. While art had always intrigued her, it wasn’t until a seemingly simple activity with her daughter Zsofi, who has Down syndrome, loved soaking and drying postage stamps, turning it into a shared pastime.

Over time, an extensive collection of similar stamps accumulated, prompting Szendrei to experiment with arranging them into shapes and patterns. What began as a casual activity soon transformed into a deeply fulfilling practice, bringing her both tranquillity and the thrill of crafting something visually striking. Szendrei’s work resists easy categorization. It intersects the boundaries of collage, mosaic, and montage, resulting in a technique she refers to as “MoCoMo by Stamps.”

Unlike many artists who work within a consistent thematic framework, Szendrei embraces fluidity, ensuring that each piece remains a singular expression, unbound by recurring motifs. However, colour plays a unifying role in her portfolio—her works are often strikingly vibrant, composed of countless individual stamps that come together to form intricate visual symphonies.

Artist Statement

What I create is a truly distinctive form of art, as I believe there are fewer than ten individuals worldwide who utilise stamps to craft their artistic pieces. This technique blends elements of mosaic, collage, and montage, which I have affectionately dubbed MoCoMo Art by Stamps. I take great pride in having developed this style independently.

My journey in art has evolved from a simple hobby into a full-fledged passion, as I balance my role as an artist with my career as an economist. At times, the stamps themselves inspire the concept for a painting, while in other instances, I channel my thoughts and emotions through stamp painting.

I enjoy reinterpreting the ideas of fellow artists in my work, but I also strive to convey my perspectives on significant themes such as war, peace, and human connection. Creating art fills me with an extraordinary sense of joy, and I aspire to share that joy with everyone who experiences my pieces.

Battlefield: yesterday. today! tomorrow?, 2024

Exhibitions

Solo exhibitions

October – November, 2018, Civis House Building, Debrecen, Hungary;
February 13-16., 2019, Stampex International, Business Design Center, Islington, London, United Kingdom;
April 17-20, 2019, De Brievenbeurs International Stamp Fair, Gouda, The Netherlands
August 21-31, 2019, „Stamps and Flowers”, Kölcsey Cultural Center, 50th Debrecen Flower Carnival, Debrecen, Hungary;
October 04-06, 2019, Hunfila, Stefania Palace. Budapest, Hungary;
January 31 – March 05, 2020, „Million Stamps on One Picture”, Hatszin Theatre, Budapest, Hungary;
March 06 – August 10, 2020, „Stamp-etudes”, Stamp Museum, Budapest, Hungary;
September 11 - 18, 2020, Chamber exhibition, Art Lovers Gallery, Debrecen, Hungary;
October 26 - 30, 2020, „Stamp Kaleidoscope”, Stefania Palace, Budapest, Hungary;
April 08 – May 13, 2021, „Towards the Light”, Palazzo Falconieri, Collegium Hungaricum, Rome Italy;
June 21 - 30, 2021, „Stamp-etudes”, Tibor Erno Gallery, st. Ladislaus Days, Oradea, Romania;
September 03 – October 03, 2021, „Together with Christ – in Hungary”, Benczur Cultural Centre, International Eucharistic Congress, Budapest, Hungary,

September 21 – October 15, 2021, „Artistic Inspirations”, PVMH Gallery, Pecs, Hungary;
October 26 - 29, 2021, „Nature and Society”, Stefania Palace, Budapest, Hungary
January 29 – March 13, 2022, “Stamp!”, Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton, United Kingdom;
March 31 – April 3, 2022, Hunfilex2022, World Stamp Exhibition, Groupama Arena, Budapest, Hungary;
April 12 – August 31, 2022, Solo exhibition, Art Hotel, Szeged, Hungary;
October 3 – 9, Chamber Exhibition in the frames of the Centennial Stamp, Coin and Card Exbition, Salgotarjan, Hungary;
November 8 - 11, 2022, „Culture and Society”, Stefania Palace, Budapest, Hungary;
December 8, 2022 – April 30, 2023, Solo exhibition, Embassy of Hungary, London United Kingdom;
April 6, – May 5, 2023, “Stamp!”, House of Art and Literature, Pecs, Hungary;
May 20, - August 19, 2023, “Stamp!”, Palota Gallery, Budapest, Hungary;
September 5 – 6, 2023, Chamber exhibition, PostEurop Philatelic Industry Forum, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
September 19, - October 10., Stamp!, Institute Liszt, Brussels, Belgium

October 24 – 27, 2023., “65 years in the service of philately”, adjoining exhibition, Stefania Palace, Budapest, Hungary;
June 15 - July 10, 2024, Year of the Dragon, Horizon Art Space, 798 Art Zone, Beijing, China
July 30 – October 15, 2024, Year of the Dragon as part of the “Danube pearl – Hungarian Cultural Exhibition, Guizhou Provincial National Museum, Guiyang, China
September 4 – October 13, 2024, Three in One, Robotnicky Dom, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia
November 15 – December 15, 2024, Year of the Dragon as part of the “Danube pearl – Hungarian Cultural Exhibition, Shang Dyansty Site Museum, Zhenzhou, China
December 30, 2024 – January 30, 2025, Year of the Dragon, Honh Art Museum, Chongqing, China
January 7 - 10, 2025, “Historic Cities in Hungary”, adjoining exhibition, Stefania Palace, Budapest, Hungary
February 6 – 19, 2025, London Contemporary – 2025, Elements Contemporary Arts Space, London, UK
April 11 – 25, 2025, “Stamp-etudes”, Ferency Verseghy Library, Szolnok, Hungary
May 30 – June 14, 2025, “Stamp-etudes” and the nature, adjoining exhibition to the 21st „European Horticulture and Art of Garden Show”, Karolyi Caste, Fehervarcsurgo, Hungary
October 1 – 22, 2025 “To Paint With Stamps? Yes! I can do it!”, 10 Years to MoCoMo Art, Academy House, Debrecen, Hungary
October 21 – November 26, 2025 “To Paint With Stamps? Yes! I can do it!”, 10 Years to MoCoMo Art, Zoltan Nadanyi Cultural House, Berettyoujfalu, Hungary

Publications

ART LEGENDS OF OUR TIME BY CONTEMPORARY ART CURATOR MAGAZINE | SPECIAL EDITION A Breath. 2025
Judit Szendrei: Reimagining Art Through the Language of Stamps, Aatonau Art Blog 2024
Arteomagazine, February 2025

www.juditszendrei.com

Judit Szendrei

Paul Hartel