Doru Ivan

Lives and works in Dublin, Ireland

Artist statement

My artworks represent an introspection of human nature and of what can result from an exploration of our interactive day-by-day existence. Knowing that our lives have significance in a context beyond a mundane everyday existence at the level of biological needs that drive selfishness and aggression. It means knowing that we are a significant part of a purposeful unfolding of life in our universe. Emotions can be found hidden within my paintings, speaking to the thoughtful and meditative process of creating the images. The evolution of my works reveals portraiture of the individual’s destiny which was not explored enough as an interior of the conception of existence. More than that, I wilfully exaggerate certain aspects of human existence expressing through form gestures, and symbols, what a person could experience over a lifetime: moments of bliss, panic, uncertainty, reflection, and mystic states. There is a back-and-forth conversation with the work, where the figure and the process inspire my emotions, and then my emotions are entered into the painting itself, to become part of the reflections. My goal is to inspire those who see my work to look more carefully at the world around them to discover beauty and ugliness in unusual situations.

Artwork