How did SCH Gallery come about?
I originally trained as a horticultural engineer and winemaker, said Ferenc, but everything changed for me in the late 1980s. One day, I came across a contemporary painting in a department store, and in that moment I knew I wanted to work with art instead of gardening. It was a sudden but decisive shift.
Fortunately, I soon found a partner who shared this vision, and together we began building a business as art agents. As it happened, her husband was a painter, which opened doors for me into the artistic community almost immediately.
Today, Hungary has a vibrant contemporary gallery scene with many different profiles. What makes our family business distinctive, however, is that we only work with artists with whom we feel a genuine personal connection.
That sense of trust and shared understanding remains at the core of everything we do.
Photo: Hungary Today
How do you select the artists you work with?
The first and most important criterion is always personal: whether the artist’s work truly moves us. If it does not resonate on that level, we simply cannot represent it authentically, commented both Ferenc and Mónika.
Beyond that, we look at practical considerations—whether a collaboration is feasible and whether our values align. While contemporary painting is central to our profile, we also work with ceramics and glass artworks, and we provide professional framing services as well.
Photo: Hungary Today
Is it important for you to introduce Hungarian artists to foreign buyers?
My experience is that artists are best represented in their home country, confessed Ferenc. We do have many international clients, and we have explored partnerships with galleries abroad, but we have found that in Hungary, collectors are often specifically interested in Hungarian artists.
Mónika added that at the same time, a significant portion of their clientele consists of foreigners, thus there is a natural cross-cultural exchange. Our focus remains on representing Hungarian artists, as well as international artists who live and work in Hungary.
Among the works we feature are those by contemporary masters such as renowned artist Endre Szász—whose 100th jubilee is celebrated this year—and Ignác Kokas (Kossuth Prize winning Hungarian painter who died in 2009).
At present, some of our most valuable pieces are by the young Hungarian painter Leó Vinkó, with whom we have recently begun collaborating.
What is it like to run a gallery in Hungary today?
It is certainly more challenging now than when we started, confessed Mónika and Ferenc. The market has changed, and there are new pressures. Even so, people continue to have a strong desire for beauty. They want to surround themselves with meaningful, high-quality artworks in their homes.
Hungarian contemporary artists need ongoing support, and we see it as our responsibility to represent their work with authenticity and to connect them with collectors who truly appreciate what they do.
Photo: SCH Galéria
What are the prospects for the future?
I believe contemporary Hungarian art is currently on an upward trajectory, said Ferenc. There is a sense of momentum, and we intend to continue our work for many years to come.
Mónika added that like so many fields, the art market has increasingly moved online. More and more people are now comfortable purchasing artworks digitally, which has opened up new possibilities.
Running a gallery also means constantly seeking out emerging artists who bring fresh perspectives. Over time, one generation passes the baton to the next—this is a field defined by continuous change. You can often see artistic development unfold within a single body of work.
A good example is our young artist Leó Vinkó, whose paintings clearly demonstrate the evolution of his technique. In many cases, artists also turn to us for guidance—asking what the market is currently looking for and how they might shape their work accordingly.
Photo: Hungary Today
At its heart, SCH Gallery is not just a space for exhibiting art, but a distinctly Hungarian, family-run enterprise shaped by personal commitment and shared values. Built on close relationships—with artists, collectors, and each other—the gallery reflects a tradition of trust, continuity, and hands-on dedication that defines many successful family businesses in Hungary. As it navigates the changing dynamics of the contemporary art world, SCH Gallery remains grounded in this intimate, human approach, proving that even in an increasingly global and digital market, a strong family identity can be a lasting source of strength and authenticity, the core values of Ferenc and Mónika’s business.
Fact
Leó Vinkó is a contemporary Hungarian painter who earned a degree in art education from the University of Szeged and developed his own artistic style, “refractivism” (realism based on the refraction of light). His work is characterized by painting, landscapes, and the depiction of the inner world. In addition, as a member of the Muralpaint team, he also creates murals.
SCH Galéria. Photo: Hungary Today
