“Art should provide a healing effect instead of causing inner turmoil. My attempt is to create paintings that can act as relays in the complex circuit of life.”
Ovidiu Avram: The Beginnings of a Visionary
From the quaint railroad junction town of Teiuș, central Romania, emerged a visionary artist named Ovidiu Avram. His childhood was an enchanting era marked by steam engines and woodcraft, under his grandfather’s watchful eye. These early experiences, deeply etched in his memory, shaped Ovidiu’s unique artistic perspective. The steam engines of Teiuș weren’t just modes of transport; they symbolized a gateway to creativity, inspiring him to replicate their complex forms in wood. This was more than a mere hobby; it was a formative journey, laying the groundwork for his future in art.
The strictness of his upbringing, while challenging, inadvertently steered Avram towards his destiny. Initially wary of attending the High School for Industrial Engineering, he soon found value in the rigorous education. The disciplines of mathematics and mechanics he studied there didn’t confine his creativity but rather gave it a new direction. This technical background, combined with his subsequent studies at The Ion Andreescu Institute of Art in Cluj-Napoca, created a unique fusion of technical precision and artistic flair in his work. Ovidiu’s journey from the structured world of engineering to the boundless realm of art highlights the synthesis of discipline and imagination that characterizes his artistic style.
Ovidiu Avram: A Path to Freedom
The oppressive atmosphere under Romania’s communist regime played a pivotal role in shaping Ovidiu’s journey. Craving artistic and personal liberty, he embarked on a journey to Western Europe, a decision that opened new horizons for his creativity. This quest for freedom wasn’t just a physical journey; it was a transformative experience that expanded his artistic vision. His stopover in Poland, a nation celebrated for its poster design, presented him with an invaluable opportunity. Working for “Solidarity”, the first independent labor union in the Soviet bloc, Avram honed his skills in graphic design, an experience that would leave a lasting imprint on his artistic approach.
Ovidiu’s time in Cologne, Germany, at the artist colony Wachsfabrik, marked a significant phase in his artistic development. Here, he immersed himself in an environment brimming with creativity and unrestricted access to literature that had been censored in his homeland. This exposure to a wealth of knowledge and artistic discourse played a crucial role in shaping his artistic identity. Avram’s paintings began to take on a spiritual, surrealistic quality, a reflection of his intellectual and artistic explorations during this period. These experiences underscore his belief in the power of art as a medium for personal and social transformation, mirroring his own journey from constraint to artistic freedom.
Exploring the Depths of Surrealism and Knowledge
Ovidiu Avram’s artistic style is deeply rooted in Surrealism, a movement that resonates with his vision of art as a source of healing and enlightenment. This inclination towards Surrealism was not a learned preference but an innate attraction, indicating a profound connection between his inner world and the surrealistic ethos. Ovidiu believes that art should not agitate the soul but rather soothe it, and his paintings are a testament to this philosophy. They are not mere visual representations but conduits in the intricate network of human experience, designed to engage and uplift the spirit of the viewer.
The themes explored in Avram’s work are as diverse as they are profound, stemming from an insatiable thirst for knowledge inculcated by his grandfather. His extensive reading in philosophy, physics, chemistry, engineering, and mechanics informs the depth and complexity of his art. But his interests do not end there; history, particularly ancient civilizations and mythology, along with cosmology and the evolution of mankind, are recurring motifs in his canvases. These varied influences converge in his art, creating a tapestry that intertwines the mystical and the scientific, the ancient and the contemporary, reflecting a universe rich in symbolism and meaning.
The Sanctuary of Creation: Avram’s Studio
For Ovidiu Avram, the creation of art is an intensely focused and solitary endeavor. His studio, a sanctuary of sorts, is an eclectic space brimming with objects, materials, and books, each playing a role in his creative process. This space is not just a physical location but a realm where ideas take shape and imagination comes to life. The variety of utensils, materials, and paraphernalia in his studio reflects his experimental approach to art. He constantly seeks new techniques and methods to bring his visionary ideas to life, making his studio a crucible of innovation.
Avram’s approach to handling distractions is as disciplined as his approach to art. He ensures that his work receives undivided attention by minimizing interruptions, exemplified by his practice of leaving his cell phone outside the studio. This discipline extends to his engagement with the canvas, where his focus is absolute. The sanctity he maintains in his workspace is indicative of his deep respect for the art-making process. It’s a space where he can delve deeply into his thoughts, undisturbed, allowing him to fully realize the potential of each piece he creates.
