Budapest Artist Residency (BATR) Portraits

In 2019, AARTICHOKE STUDIOS founder Alana Aphoy was selected to take part in the Budapest Art Residency.

Surrounded by artists from around the world, she began photographing them as a way to connect and learn about their craft. What started as curiosity soon became an exploration of what a portrait could be — and how it could be experienced.

Alana chose one portrait from each session and handed it back to the artist, inviting them to respond in their own way.

This series was later exhibited at Patyolat and featured in a book created by the residency.

Below are two versions of the work — the original portraits and the artists’ responses.

Work With Us
  • Black and white photo of a person standing in a doorway, wearing a dark sweatshirt, with their hand touching their head.

    Eva

    Mixed Media Artist (Czech Republic)

  • Person reading a book, wearing a striped athletic jacket and headband, sitting on a bench next to a leafy plant in black and white.

    Jun

    Sound Artist (France / Japan)

  • Black and white photo of a man sitting in a wicker chair in an art studio with drawings on the wall.

    Ulysse

    Painter (France)

  • Black and white photo of a person standing in a doorway, wearing a dark sweatshirt, with their hand touching their head.

  • Person reading a book, wearing a striped athletic jacket and headband, sitting on a bench next to a leafy plant in black and white.

  • Black and white photo of a man sitting in a wicker chair in an art studio with drawings on the wall.

  • Person sitting on a ledge in a minimalist, industrial-style room with large windows and overhead lights.

    Malaika

    Illustrator (India / UAE)

  • Person in a hoodie working in a cluttered workshop, adjusting audio equipment connected to speakers on a desk.

    Patryk

    Sound Artist (Poland)

  • A woman seated beside a desk cluttered with papers and documents, with architectural drawings taped to the wall.

    Poppy

    Illustrator and Installation (UK)

  • Person sitting on a ledge in a minimalist, industrial-style room with large windows and overhead lights.

  • Person in a hoodie working in a cluttered workshop, adjusting audio equipment connected to speakers on a desk.

  • A woman seated beside a desk cluttered with papers and documents, with architectural drawings taped to the wall.

  • Black and white image of an artist painting in a sparse room with two windows, a hanging lamp, and a table with art supplies.

    Anna

    Painter (USA)

  • Black and white photo of a person sitting at a table, drawing in a sketchbook with art supplies scattered around.

    Neve

    Illustrator (Canada)

  • Black and white image of a person standing outside a building, smoking a cigarette, near a doorway with stickers.

    Mathieu

    Sound Artist (Belgium)

  • Black and white image of an artist painting in a sparse room with two windows, a hanging lamp, and a table with art supplies.

  • Black and white photo of a person sitting at a table, drawing in a sketchbook with art supplies scattered around.

  • Black and white image of a person standing outside a building, smoking a cigarette, near a doorway with stickers.

“Alana’s photography captured not just the artists but the relationships between them and their work. She has a real skill for putting people at ease—even those who hate having their photo taken. Her portraits vividly show what makes our artists unique, and working with her was easy—friendly, relaxed, and professional.”

— Kate Syme-Lamont, Program Director, Budapest Art Residency