autoportret is an exhibition in three parts focusing on the expressive qualities of paintings made by women from the Carpathian region over the past century until today. From the works of Grete Csaki-Copony (1893-1990) and Lucia Demetriade Balacescu (1895-1979) in the beginning of the 20th century to new paintings of contemporary artists Diana Cepleanu (*1957) and Tincuta Marin (*1995), the exhibition brings together works by artists connected not only through geography, but also through a strong and expressive approach to painting. Over a period of five months starting in November 2023, autoportret will present works by Ioana Batranu, Diana Cepleanu, Grete Csaki-Copony, Lucia Demetriade Balacescu, Doina Hordovan, Tincuta Marin, Georgeta Naparus, Silvia Radu, Valentina Rusu Ciobanu, Maria Urszinyi and Ecaterina Vrana.
The title of the exhibition autoportret (self-portrait) delves beyond the human image frequently depicted in the paintings, extending its meaning to encompass the intimate perspective of the world reflected in each artist's work. It comprises a personal gaze on immediate surroundings that carries a universal validity.
The second part of the exhibition showcases seven artists whose works are as diverse and individual as the artists themselves. While experimenting with different styles and intertwining international and national, as well as folkloristic influences in their works, each of them has found their personal approach to the world, translating reality into their own artistic languages, sometimes incorporating spiritual or imaginary characters.
Lucia Demetriade Balacescu (1895–1979)
A pioneer among women painters in the beginning of the 20th century, Lucia Demetriade Balacescu's powerful paintings had a lasting influence on the Romanian art scene. From urban scenes to landscapes and nudes, she portrayed the vibrancy of life in vivid colours. Fascinated by the Balkans, she skillfuly painted the multicultural folklore and the hot days by the Black Sea. After Parisian studies and active participation in Bucharest's avant-garde, Balacescu's works are an amalgamation of European spirit and local flair, often also critiquing societal behaviours with wit and irony.
Doina C. Hordovan Ciato (1934-2012)
Doina C. Hordovan Ciato left an indelible mark on the art scene in Cluj. Dedicated to monumental artworks, her compositions in surrealism and fantastical elements reflect a sophisticated aestheticism. Her still lifes, in particular, serve as platforms for both refined formal explorations and intimately introspective engagements with archetypal resonance. Her legacy stands as a testament to intellectual acuity and artistic brilliance within Romanian art history.
Tincuta Marin (*1995)
Tincuta Marin's artistic realm transcends imagination, residing in fantastical worlds with characters like Omul de Piatra (Stone Golem) and Bigfoot. Drawing inspiration from surrealism and Ancient Egypt, her paintings and collages create a wondrous tapestry of distant realities, fantasies, and myths. Marin's recent shift to brighter, flatter colours adds vibrant emotive quality, evoking a child's sense of play. Her distinct contribution synthesises surrealism and expressionism while reflecting her daily life in Romania.
Georgeta Naparus (1930–1997)
Georgeta Naparus, whose paintings are reminiscent of medieval tapestries, crafted powerful compositions, exploring the formal possibilities of figuration and abstraction. Influenced by Byzantine, Renaissance, and modernist painters, she created complex scenes referencing history, mythology, and traditional folk costumes. Her artworks, layered, with monochromatic backgrounds, reveal a delicate decomposition akin to ancient parchments. Naparus, bridging eras and styles, left a lasting legacy at the crossroads of tradition and modernity.
Silvia Radu (*1935)
A versatile artist, Silvia Radu navigated the challenges of Romania's art scene for six decades. Known for contributions to sculpture, pottery, and painting, Radu's career defied ideological constraints. A rebel against artistic limitations, she arranged a self-portrait exhibition before 1989 as a response to the limitations on portraiture and Socialist Realist imperatives. Within a wide spectrum of themes from Christian and Romanian folklore narratives, Radu celebrates femininity throughout her works.
Mária Urszinyi (*1949)
Despite completing Art School, Mária Urszinyi initially pursued a different career which later infused her artistic work. Born in 1949, she explored Abstract Expressionism, capturing humanity and labor in deformed shapes. Influenced by the working class, Urszinyi's art reflects a raw and primal essence, rejecting conventional norms. Her distinct style, exhibited nationally and internationally, stands as a testament to resilience and the pursuit of artistic identity.
Ecaterina Vrana (1969–2019)
Between the joy of life and the presentiment of death, Ecaterina Vrana painted with urgency and vigour, creating a fantastical narrative. Developing her personal style in the 1990s and 2000s, Vrana's works symbolically followed her life, addressing themes of gender, love, and dreams. Featuring thick impasto and essentialised forms, her canvases depict figures by accumulation and metamorphosis. Vrana's journey, marked by a unique approach to art, serves as a powerful testimony to the life-sustaining nature of artistic expression.
Press release courtesy Galeria Plan B.
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