VIORICA MADALINA MANU

Lives and works in Bucharest, Romania

Artist statement

Manu is a Romanian contemporary artist based in Bucharest, mainly self-taught, whose practice explores the joy, beauty and emotional complexity of everyday life. She has complemented her artistic education through art courses at Domestika, Coursera and MoMA, as well as by studying the techniques of renowned watercolour painters. Working primarily with acrylics, and also with watercolour and oil, Manu combines spontaneous gestures, layered colour, expressive lines and experimental materials to create works that move between abstraction, figuration and mixed media. Her recurring themes are love, flowers, nature, femininity and the celebration of life, often expressed through vibrant colour and symbolic forms. Sustainability and experimentation are also central to her process, leading her to incorporate recycled paper, cardboard, painted cellophane, ribbons, foil and other found materials into selected works. Her artistic motto, “Find the art of life!”, reflects her belief that art can transform ordinary experiences into moments of meaning and joy. Through her practice, Manu also embraces the ambition to “make Romanian art great again” by bringing a distinctive contemporary Romanian voice to international audiences. Her work has received international recognition through exhibitions, awards and artistic programmes, including TERAVARNA, La Pinacothèque Luxembourg and international art showcases.

Artwork