MARGIT BORONKAY

Painting

514-481-3895

In Hungary, I was a student at Almos Jaschik Art Academy for 2 years, obtaining my diploma in 1938. From 1940-1942 I designed primarily traditional, formal gowns at the well known Tudos Klara Salon. I also designed day dresses, inspired by the rich lore of Hungarian folk art. I married in 1942 and lived in Geneva, Switzerland for a year. We moved back to Hungary from 1944 to 1948.

After leaving Hungary for Zurich, Switzerland in 1948, I enjoyed working as a designer and manager for a Swiss design company for 2 years. Our family immigrated to Canada, arriving in Ottawa in 1951, to join my dear sister. I started designing mostly formal wear for the wives of the members of the Canadian parliament for about 4 years.

We moved to Montreal in 1955, where I designed fashions for the well established firm, Juno Doro, for several years. I still kept up with my former clientèle, visiting Ottawa periodically. My family obtained Canadian citizenship in 1958. I branched into working for the gift department of Baton's department store. While working there, I presented and sold some of my decorative, batik wall hangings. One of my co-workers invited me to present my art for a special celebration of the Richelieu Club in Thetford Mines. She chose my large batik banner, “Grape Picking Girls”, to hang as a centerpiece in the hall. It was very effective in that space.

We then moved to Boston, living there from 1965-1972, as my husband had obtained a contract at the Harvard Law Library. I taught fashion drawing at the Modern School of Fashion, while continuing to design women's wear for various dress salons. I kept up oil and watercolour painting in my free time.

After our return to Montreal, I experienced some health problems and it became very beneficial for me to regularly visit the Botanical Gardens to sketch and photograph the amazing variety of flowers. Dr. Arthur Lismer's words came frequently to mind, “Why change nature, when what is already there is so beautiful?” He had been a true inspiration for me at the Museum Art School classes. As a member of CHAC since 2002, my plan is to continue to express myself in the visual arts.