Interview

Written By Editorial Team

Laura Ionescu

Laura is a self-proclaimed art lover without formal training. She believes every painting is a therapy session. Painting is therapy if used correctly. When she wants to escape reality and retreat to the deepest corners of my mind and soul, she picks up a brush and lets her imagination run wild. With a bit of luck, something interesting emerges. Then, she analyzes the result, interpreting the artist's message - which is, of course, her own mind giving itself permission to express itself honestly, free from outside noise. This exhibition explores themes of hope, loneliness, abandonment, and friendship.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“While I don't have an artistic background, the interest for colour came from an early age. I started drawing when I was 3 and had my first ‘exhibition’ at the age of 7. I continued for a couple of years. Then, adulthood came and art became more of a hobby. But I guess that painting has always been about freedom, about that soothing feeling. So, without even noticing, I guess that all my life, painting was there waiting for me to escape from the mundane and just get back to my one true love.”

What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?

“My paintings mainly speak about pain, lust and freedom, but also about women rights, abortion and what is the meaning of femininity. There's this continuous quest for finding answers to questions about what is gender, how we reached today's modern separation of gender and what lies at the bottom of humanity. Sometimes a woman stands tall, her hands with society's stigma. She's not just a woman; she's a symbol of courage, breaking free from the chains that have held her back for centuries. Her womb still red from hundreds of years of creating life, all tell a story of countless women who have fought for equality, for the right to be seen, heard, and respected. Other times, there's an embryo or a baby waiting to be brought int this world with the sole purpose of continuing on the treadmill of life.”

Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?

“I believe that mistakes are part of the creation. So, while I try to prepare my work, have a plan, get everything done in advance, most of the times I get to rely solely on improvisation. But wouldn't have it any other way.”

“In my view, art has a profound ability to transcend the perceived differences between us, offering a way to connect on a deeply emotional, visceral level.”

Are there any art world trends are you following?

“Today, artists are using their work to talk about important things like fairness, equality, and the way we treat each other. They're also experimenting with new technology, like computers and virtual reality, to create art that's never been seen before. But that's not all. Artists are looking back to the past, too, rediscovering art from different cultures and traditions. They're bringing these old ways of making art into the present day, creating a mix of old and new that's exciting and fresh. It's like a big, colorful puzzle where everyone's piece matters.”

What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?

“As a self-taught artist, I tend to make a lot of experiments with materials. I won't lie, my favourite is acrylic on canvas, nothing fancy there. But whenever I find a way to create something using wood, clay, oils painting, canvas, leather; you name it, there's this feeling of relief. Along the years, also experimented with digital and new media, as for me it is a ground where there's no mistake and everything is possible.”

 What does your art mean to you?

“For me it means salvation. Art comes to me as an escape from reality, from pain, from depression even. It's like a session of therapy where by the end of the meeting, you have the proof that there's was something painful or something even happy. As an Eastern European artist, born after the fall of the communist regime, I've always felt a deep connection to the power of painting as a tool for social commentary. Growing up in a region with a complex history, I've witnessed firsthand the ways in which art can be used to express our struggles, hopes, and dreams. However, it is only now that we explored themes of identity and loss, painting has been a vital outlet for our voices. Today, I continue to use my art to engage with pressing issues such as inequality, migration and the need to catch roots somewhere. By blending traditional techniques with contemporary approaches, I aim to create thought-provoking and visually striking pieces that challenge societal norms and provoke discussion.”

What’s your favourite artwork and why?

“A couple of years (while still in my Dali era), discovered Zdzislaw Beksinski, a genius of abstract art, and his incredible paintings. Since then, he continued to be a vivid inspiration.”

Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?

“I have participated in many exhibitions over the years, including: Collective exhibition, ‘Arta în Cotroceni,’ EliteProfArt Gallery, Bucuresti (2022); Personal exhibition, ‘Arc Peste Timp,’ LondoHome, Bucharest (2022); Fusion Arts (2022); Noblesse Palace, Bucharest (2022).”

 
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