Hungarian Canadian Profiles
The Hungarian Artist - Designer of Canada's New $ 1.00 Coin:
MRS. DORA de PÉDERY - HUNT
Majoring in sculpture and design, she graduated in 1943 with high honours from the Royal School of Applied Arts in Budapest. Five years later, she emigrated from her native Hungary to Canada. Since then, she has become recognized in Canada and elsewhere around the world as one of the very best in her highly specialized field of artistic endeavour. Her latest achievement, however, tops them all in that it will endure just as long as there re- mains in existence such a country as Canada, which means forevermore. This great Hungarian-born artist- designer is Mrs. Dora de Pédery-Hunt of Toronto!
FROM IMMIGRANT TO A GREAT CAREER
When Dora de Pédery-Hunt first arrived in Canada as an immigrant, she went to work as a teacher of art and also an interior designer of churches. She also participated in numerous expositions. But it was only in 1965 that the first significant exhibition of her own medals and miniature sculpture was held. This attracted a great deal of public attention and acclaim. Since then, her artistic career has skyrocketed and her reputation as an outstanding sculptress and medallist had become firmly established not only throughout Canada, but also internationally. Giving her a big boost in this direction was her authoring the first Canadian work on medalic art entitled: "Medals"; having exhibited her fabulous collection of sculptured jewellery; designing the Canadian postage stamp honouring Sir Donald Smith; designing two gold coins for the Royal Canadian Mint; designing the 1976 Montreal Olympic $100 Commemorative; designing the 1986 $100 coin commemorating the International Year of Peace; and much more. Having accomplished as much as she did to attain world stature, Dora de Pédery-Hunt was certainly well prepared to tackle one of her most demanding assignments!
MEETING A DEMANDING CHALLENGE
Starting in 1990, all of Canada's coins will bear a new effigy of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, This new design was recently unveiled at the Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg by the Honourable Paul Dick and its artist-designer, Mrs. Dora de Pédery-Hunt! Following this ceremony, which also marked the Second Anniversary of Canada's $1.00 coin, the first $1.00 coin bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II that was designed by Dora de Pédery-Hunt, which was previously approved by Buckingham Palace and is the first ever designed by a Canadian (or in the case a Hungarian-Canadian), were struck for presentation to the Queen.
In congratulating the Hungarian artist-designer after the unveiling, the Honourable Paul Dick said: "Your design is a strong demonstration of the abilities which reside today in Canada's artistic community and I think that all Canadians, who admire fine art, can share in the pride which you must so rightly feel today". The Canadian Minister also pointed out that, among the other practical benefits to the nation that will be derived from the coin designed by Dora de Pédery-Hunt, was the potential for saving about $175-million in tax dollars over the next 20 years!
A MODEST RESPONSE
In response to the adoption of her design by the Royal Canadian Mint with the prior approval of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Dora de Pédery- Hunt said: "Receiving the commission to design the effigy meant a very great deal to me. It was so very special. I've always been a great admirer of the Queen. I have seen her several times in my life and shook her hands once. It was during a Royal Visit to Toronto in the early 1960's at a special lunch at the Old City Hall. I remember I had to wear a hat and had to buy one. I found her so attractive, especially when she was talking and smiling. She has very beautiful eyes and skin and you notice them so much when she is talking and meeting people. Once I actually began the work it went very quickly and well. The Queen's face I found very easy to do. She has always been a clear vision in my mind . . . I really hope everybody likes it. I really think it looks like the Queen."
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