Artist
Éva Szombat
Éva Szombat is a photographer working and living in Budapest. Her unique blend of glamour and sociological examination has appeared in local and international magazines, and websites including Vice, Huffington Post, Ignant, Neon, Blink magazine, Vogue Spain and Feature Shoot. She got her Masters' Degree in Photography from MOME (2012) in Budapest, Hungary.
She received the Pécsi József Photography Scholarship between 2013 and 2016, during which she examined the phenomenon of happiness and its effects on people. She released two books on the subject, the limited edition Happiness, and Practitioners. She won artistic scholarships in Paris and New York. Her works were displayed in New York, Jerusalem, Milan, Vienna, Berlin, among other places. She is currently working on several new series, and she is very happy herself.
Beyond The Curve
Two significant events happened in my life in 2017. I turned 30 and I got married. Before the wedding I noticed I was curvier than usual. I have decided to try something I never had the patience for: slowly, gradually changing my lifestyle. I promised myself I won’t be impatient, I won’t force myself to lose 20 kilos in two months, and I’ll leave time for myself.
All my life I have tried to feel good in my skin, because this is how I always was, this was my figure. But there were always people around, who made accepting myself difficult. They were usually people close to me. I had a boyfriend who forced me to stand on the scale, to check if I gained weight. He wanted to see if I should start dieting. Years later, before my wedding I was asked if I really needed bridesmaids, because of how I will look on the photos, standing next to my slim girlfriends. All these people meant well.
My campaigns in dieting were successful temporarily, but I always gave up after a while. But this time, it worked.
I am lucky, because I have found a true partner. He won’t force me on the scale, he will never insult me, while only meaning well and giving me courage. My self-confidence grew greatly since I’m with him. But I have started changing my lifestyle for myself, and learned not to compare myself to others. I have changed a lot. I’m happy about improving my health, and I don’t feel guilty when I sometimes go off-diet. I haven’t become a top model. I’ll never be one, but I’m fine with it. I like my big behind and my belly. I hope my new series will help other to accept themselves as well.
Practitioners
I’ve been interested in happiness for a long time. How do we reach it, how do we maintain it? Can anyone be happy? What are the chances for those, who aren’t predestined for happiness? With my photobook Practitioners, I was looking for people, who take an active role in increasing their feeling of happiness. Erika lost her child, but found help in balloon twisting. Maria claims her passion for collecting frogs helped cure her cancer. Some people find happiness after gender reassignment surgery, some find it when keeping pets, but even a rubber crocodile can be its source. Constantly practicing is the key.
The book has five chapters: Togetherness, Hobbies, Pets, Self-realization and Home.
Special thanks: Dávid Klág, Linda Lendvai, Vera Vida and all who participated