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 Orban, whose center-right Fidesz party has held a two-thirds
parliamentary majority since 2010, has consolidated power to
become the most commanding politician in post-Communist Hungary.
However, his uncompromising governing style, which critics say
has weakened the press and judiciary, also contributed to a
deeply divided society.
For artist Kriszta "Tereskova" Nagy, the election result was a
jolt. Within a month, she produced 57 paintings of Orban, then
69 more, in a pop-art manner reminiscent of Andy Warhol.
Conservatives, liberals and even Orban's wife, Aniko Levai, have
snapped up the paintings, bringing in about 8 million forints
($34,000).
In Communist-era Hungary, leaders' portraits were hung in every
public building and enormous photographs were displayed at state
celebrations, so depicting politicians is a touchy subject for
art, Tereskova acknowledged.
"I swore never to do politics, but politics does me. It has come
in and sat down on my bed," she told Reuters at Budapest's Godot
Gallery where her work was exhibited.
"I am provoking right now. Not necessarily Orban, but the whole
country and its intellectuals."
Tereskova has scandalized before, exhibiting her own naked body,
performing sexually charged songs and circulating a Photoshopped
image of herself defecating in front of parliament at the time
of a violent street revolt in 2006.
She says the series, based on a 2010 election poster, is a
wakeup call to a divided nation which sees Orban's rule as
either perdition or salvation.
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"Lots of people are unhappy, and emotions run high. That's what I
paint: the fact that all this has found its way into the most
intimate parts of our lives, dividing families, love and
friendships, even though we live in a democracy," she said.
Orban's image is printed on canvas and finished with paint, using
folk motifs, the Hungarian flag and a marijuana leaf, representing
issues Hungary is grappling with.
Levai bought two after visiting the gallery.
"I have seen your exhibitions before, I know your work, and again I
expected you as a painter to enable our vision and ask questions of
our eyes," she wrote in the gallery guest book. "I was not
disappointed. Thank you."
In an interview with conservative news channel Hir TV, Tereskova
said the creative process had led to a newfound love for Orban.
"Yes, I have fallen for him," she said. "He brought change into my
life, he descended on his wings and defended me when I was down and
out financially."
Tereskova told Reuters the interview was meant as part of an
artistic performance that accompanied her paintings.
(Editing by Ayla Jean Yackley and Alison Williams)
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