ABOUT
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
My work explores the connection between the spiritual (or supernatural) and palpable reality, and draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, like paintings of the Old Masters, but Japanese prints as well. My figurative paintings explore themes of human connection, intimacy and vulnerability. The feminine figure is my primary subject, and is the space I use expressive brushstrokes and washes, not just to experiment with color and form, but also to convey a certain state. My last paintings in watercolour are characterized by fluidity, colours bleed and spill into each other, creating an abstract effect. Beyond the continuous play of shapes and colours, the gaze always emerges and unifies everything, and confers an unique inner state to each subject. My intention is not replicating each individual model, but finding a universal essence—something that is common to all of us, beyond our unicity. My painting process is intuitive and free, so the result always amazes me, and it's totally different than what I had in mind. It is like painting all people in one portrait. The message is that we are all one in the end; there's no difference and no separation between us. My ideas originate in Eastern Philosophy and Heraclitus' philosophy. For Heraclitus The One is defined by an "ever-living fire", a symbol of constant flow and regulated change that binds all opposites into a cohesive system. I believe in this fire which keeps us alive, this energy which flows through all of us and unites us all.
BIOGRAPHY
I live in Brasov, a medieval Romanian city surrounded by mountains, with the forest starting right in my backyard. Since I have known myself, I have been interested in painting and drawing. I was a sensitive child with a rich inner world, always drawing as a way of coping with a world where people spirits were crushed by the communist regime. In the early childhood I lived with my grandparents in Moara Grecilor, a small village in Vaslui county, so I had the chance to live in nature since the beginning of my life. I spent most of my childhood drawing fairies in the garden, which was like an enchanted place with many colorful flowers, raspberry bushes, and a big old walnut tree. Later on, I started studying painting and drawing at the local art school. In 1998 I moved to England and in 2001 I moved to Australia, where I met the great Australian portraitist Robert Hannaford, who guided me and encouraged me to start painting professionally. The next year I enrolled to study at Adelaide Central School of Art where I had the privilege of being taught by artist Chris Orchard, who also introduced me to the secrets of his fascinating art. In 2008, after I got the Australian citizenship, I came back to Romania, and for a few years, I explored the greatest European museums. I settled down in Brasov, Romania, because of the mountains and beauty of the city, and my art journey has continued ever since.
EDUCATION:
2010-2012 M.A. Fine Arts, National University of Fine Arts George Enescu Iași, Romania
2005-2007 Adelaide Central School of Art, Australia, Painting
1991-1996 B.A. Sociology, National University A. I. Cuza Iași, Romania
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
2024 "Life", The Art Tower Brasov
2022 “Portraits”, Europe Art Gallery Brasov
2021 “Red and Blue”, Urban Civilization Museum Brasov
2020 “Hope”, Architects Order Brasov
2016 "Gesichter", German Cultural Center Brasov
2013 "Mirror", Galeria de Artă Europe, Brasov
2009 "Images of Time, Reduta Cutural Center Brasov
2008 "Nostalgia", Okian Art Gallery Brasov
2007 "Women", South Australian Living Artists Festival, Adelaide, Australia
2007 “Abstract Figures”, Premier Art Gallery, Adelaide, Australia
GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2022 "Magda Vacariu, Profesorul si studenții”, Brasov Art Museum
2022 "The Journey", Apollonia Cultural Center, Brasov
2017 Cathedral Gallery, Fribourg, Elveția
2016 Muzeul de Istorie Brașov
2012 82 Mercer Exhibition Center, New York, Statele Unite
2012 Chelsea Town Hall, Londra, Anglia
2007 Paddington Contemporary Gallery, Sydney, Australia
2007 Royal South Australian Society of the Arts Gallery, Adelaide, Australia
2006 Artistic License Gallery, Adelaide, Australia
2006 Royal South Australian Society of the Arts Art Gallery, Adelaide, Australia
2006 Premier Art Gallery, Adelaide Australia, „Five Australian Artists”
2022-Brasov Art Museum, interactive art workshops
2022-Galeria Europe, interactive art workshops
2006/2007-Premier Gallery, Adelaide, Australia, „Five Romanian Artists in Australia”
2009- currently Magdalen Vacariu Art School Brașov, art classes and art projects with adult students
MEDIA-Publications, Interviews
Art Publication Brasov City Hall
2022
Romania Actualitati
Adelaide's Matters, Australia
AWARDS:
Royal South Australian Society of the Arts Portrait Award, Australia
AFFILIATIONS:
Uniunea Artistilor Plastici Romania
South Australian Living Artists
magdavacariu[at]yahoo.com
https://www.instagram.com/marimagdalenvacariu/