Margit Valkó, founding owner of Kisterem Gallery
MúzeumCafé 11.
Képíró Street is one of Budapest’s shortest streets, yet it is abundant with galleries. One of them, Kisterem, opened in autumn 2006 and as its name suggests it occupies a small space. The manageress, Margit Valkó, patiently bided her time before opening the gallery with a ‘programme’ she wanted. This year she is already participating in several international fairs. Valkó graduated as an economist, but while at university she was well aware of her desire to be an art historian. Programme galleries represent their own artists and that can be achieved if a solo exhibition is held for each artist every other year. Today Kisterem still has the same dozen artists who it started with in 2006. Besides nine or ten annual solo exhibitions, there are also small group shows where mostly two or three artists present their new work. “Everything is a matter of good arrangement. I can always show my own new discoveries. In addition, I can offer the opportunity for artists who are not represented by the gallery. For instance, György Jovánovics is not one of mine, yet I displayed his photographs last year. “In order to be able to participate in fairs a gallery has to exist for a couple of years, has to have held important exhibitions and also has to show which artists it represents. A serious portfolio must be compiled. One has been entered for the Liste in Basel. Kisterem is the first Hungarian gallery to be taken on there. The gallery has been admitted to the renewed Art Forum in Berlin this autumn. I applied for support for that from the National Cultural Fund. “In the beginning major investment is required. Hence I exhibit works in more reasonably priced categories than older, well-established galleries. Thus I usually show young artists. “In due course I hope to find an international circle of buyers.”