Biography
In 1919, he exhibited expressionist nude compositions, nude pictures and landscapes at Ma Exhibition in 1919, and a man nude at the Art Gallery in 1917. He published his Figures-folder and an illustrated book, Golden Smoke. Then he went abroad, visited Berlin, Tunis, until he finally settled in Paris. Here he came under the influence of the most modern French painters and painted still lifes and flowers for a while. He also made woodcuts, book covers and bookplates. He wrote art articles for French and English art magazines.
In his first exhibition, he presented pictures in the expressionist style at the Galerie Povolozky in 1920. Two years later, he appeared in the Galerie Vogel with still lifes and landscapes: his forms were simplified, and he incorporated the lessons of Cubism into his painting. In 1923 he exhibited at the Galerie Percier, and in 1924 he participated in the international exhibition organized by the Serbian activist Zenitkör in Belgrade, where he represented Hungary together with László Moholy-Nagy. His works were exhibited at the Salon d'Autumn and the Salon des Tuleries, and from 1921 to 1923 at the Salon des Independants.
A longer article published about Medgyes in the second issue of Magyar Művészet in 1926, with reproductions of several of his paintings already made in Paris.
Besides painting, the artist was involved in scenic design for opera and theatre productions across France. He eventually founded the László Medgyes School of Stagecraft in Paris and influenced many young artists including surrealist Lee Miller. He was a real "metteur-en-scéne" in the broadest, fullest sense of the word, he creates sets and costumes, directs the game, the lighting, and the entire theater ensemble in the Beriza theater, where he was the artistic director. In June 1926, he created a great sensation by organizing the theater exhibition , in the framework of which a puppet show with a Hungarian theme entitled »Broken Gingerbread Heart« was also presented, with great success. In 1927 Medgyes travelled to America and gave an exhibition of his paintings and also glass crystal sculptures (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpjBpxz9qjw). He also exhibited at International Exhibition of Theatre Art in 1934 in MoMA.
In the mid-1920’s, Medgyes exhibited in New York at the New Gallery and later taught at Yale University. His works are represented in the National Gallery in Budapest.
