János Németh was born nearly seventy-five years ago in Zalaegerszeg. He returned to the town from every one of his journeys. He cannot and would not leave the town. Whenever he leaves his house, he meets acquaintances, he knows the streets, squares and houses, the trees and the hills around the town, he knows the creeks and the promise of the beautiful bushes on the slopes of the hills, but he also knows the mysterious world of the cool and dim forests in Göcsej.
He is enchanted by the snow-white walls of the ancient churches, in the tower with the bell, the crosses sanctified by the body of the Redeemer and the protecting statues of saints. He knows the wisdom of people gained generation after generation, he understands their world. He is from among them.
Even though he was trained by the finest masters at the Collage of Applied Arts, travelled the world as an acclaimed artist and applied the message of various cultures in his art, János Németh has remained a typical Zalaegerszeg citizen. He is the artist who opened the door to the world for the people of Zala. However, the door has two sides, can be entered both ways.
Wherever his works are displayed, in public squares or in an art gallery, he knows exactly that he is responsible for the world, as an organic part of the world. Every single work of art by János Nemeth reflects this responsibility.
László Kostyál
