Katalin Kortmann-Járay – born in 1986 in Budapest, and Karina Mendreczky – born in 1988 in Budapest, have been collaborating as an artistic duo since 2019, in addition to their individual practices. They create large-scale, often site-specific installations incorporating spatial, visual, textual, and acoustic elements. A key aspect of their work is the combination and reuse of various techniques and materials, including textiles, archival photos, steel, concrete, and clay. Their conceptual starting point often revolves around their female ancestors or mythical, archaic, and mystical female figures and their stories. Traditional female roles such as caregiving, nursing, or emotional labor serve as central symbols, reimagined as personified objects, creatures, or plants in their work. They often incorporate motifs from folklore, religious symbols, and well-known literary, historical, or musical elements to evoke a sense of collective memory installed in metaphorically fragile spaces. They explore themes such as the ecological crisis and its impact on humanity, the process of remembering, and contemporary animism. In 2023, they were awarded the Esterházy Award, and their work has been exhibited at venues including Q21 Salon in Vienna, Parallel Vienna, Budapest Gallery, and MODEM in Debrecen.
