Ferenc Szabics Sr. was born in 1928 in Szentes. He learned the basics and developed a love for woodcarving from carpenter apprentices who had relocated from Transylvania, and he had been carving wood since early childhood. Initially, he crafted wooden buttons, which were later followed by traditional pastoral carvings. He made his own tools and was completely self-taught in working with horn, bone, and wood. Later on, his work expanded to carving buffalo horns, Hungarian Grey cattle horns, deer antlers, and mother-of-pearl.
In his motifs, he incorporated his own experiences, which he gathered during his travels and through conversations with shepherds and hunters living in various parts of the country. He often remarked that “the statue is already inside every piece of wood; you just have to remove the excess.” He conceived the coffered ceiling of the memorial room in 1982, based on an ancient legend. It took him thirteen years to carve the ninety individual panels of the ceiling. His public art installations can be seen in 9 towns and villages across the country, while 6,000 of his works are preserved in public and private collections. The memorial museum also showcases various other carvings, panel paintings, and sculptures. His son, Ferenc Szabics Jr., mastered the tricks of the trade from his father, while the female members of the family practice traditional folk arts and crafts.
Visitor information: Visitors are welcome by prior appointment via any of the available contact details. Admission to the museum and the guided tours are free of charge.
