The Hills Are Not as Close as They Seem

JD Malat Gallery, London, is delighted to announce 'The Hills Are Not as Close as They Seem', the first solo exhibition in London by emerging international artist Máté Orr (b. 1985, Budapest). Taking place on the main floor of the gallery from 14th May to 14th June 2025, this landmark exhibition presents a powerful new series of works that explore human emotion, psychological resilience, and the surreal absurdities of contemporary life. Orr’s distinctive practice merges digital precision with traditional oil painting, resulting in dreamlike compositions where human and animal forms inhabit complex, psychologically charged landscapes. Through intricate scenes of quiet...

(Larger version of this image opens in a popup).

(Larger version of this image opens in a popup).

(Larger version of this image opens in a popup).

(Larger version of this image opens in a popup).

(Larger version of this image opens in a popup).

(Larger version of this image opens in a popup).

(Larger version of this image opens in a popup).

'The Hills Are Not as Close as They Seem', installation view, JD Mallat Gallery, London, 2025. Courtesy of the artist and JD Mallat Gallery.
Máté Orr (b. 1985, Veszprém, Hungary) is an emerging international artist whose distinctive practice merges precise technical execution with psychological exploration. His innovative methodology combines digital design processes with traditional oil painting techniques, creating works that explore human behaviour through a unique combination of human and animal forms, resultin...

Máté Orr (b. 1985, Veszprém, Hungary) is an emerging international artist whose distinctive practice merges precise technical execution with psychological exploration. His innovative methodology combines digital design processes with traditional oil painting techniques, creating works that explore human behaviour through a unique combination of human and animal forms, resulting in dreamlike scenes that explore the complex terrain of human psychology in the 21st century. Orr's educational journey began with graphic design and printmaking before graduating in fine art painting from the Hungarian University of Fine Arts, Budapest. A pivotal moment in his artistic development came when he encountered the Lorenzetti frescoes in Siena, which revealed to him the powerful potential of combining different modes of depiction to create mystical imagery.