This exhibition delves into the depths of self-discovery, presenting a potent mix of artworks by Marius Ghita, Maria Balan Luiza, and Mara Popa, each capturing the intense struggle to understand and define oneself. Through painted mirrors and canvases saturated in deep maroons and rich blues, the audience is invited to witness the visceral fight for identity—a fight steeped in both turmoil and revelation.
The works of these young artists reflect not only an exploration of self but also a confrontation with the isolation that often accompanies it. As George Orwell poignantly wrote, “The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection… one is always walking in the dark and either stumbling or bouncing back against something.” This sentiment reverberates through the expressive brushstrokes and evocative textures in Marius Ghita’s canvases, where his use of shadowy blues and aggressive, slashing strokes depicts a raw, unfiltered portrayal of the loneliness of self-exploration. His works evoke the sense of a figure lost in an ocean of uncertainty, reaching for a shore that is always just beyond grasp.
Maria Balan Luiza’s pieces, on the other hand, draw the viewer into the fragmented reflections of painted mirrors. These reflective surfaces distort reality, illustrating how self-perception can become fractured and confused during times of inner turmoil. The interplay of light and shadow creates an illusion of depth, suggesting that while the surface may be cracked, the person behind it is in a constant state of becoming. Maria’s use of rich maroons and piercing whites speaks to Orwell’s notion that “the greatest enemy of clear language is insincerity”—the distortion of self that arises when trying to reconcile external expectations with internal truths.
Mara Popa’s contribution to the exhibition reveals a contrasting approach: vibrant and dynamic compositions that burst with kinetic energy, reflecting a young mind wrestling with the chaos of self-discovery. Her swirling hues and layers of paint—often applied, scraped away, and reapplied—reflect Orwell’s idea that, “There are some ideas so wrong that only a very intelligent person could believe in them.” This constant process of layering and removal becomes a metaphor for dismantling deeply ingrained beliefs and rebuilding new perspectives, a journey of shedding one’s old skin to uncover the essence beneath.
The artworks on display are not just expressions of struggle but are, in themselves, acts of confrontation and reconciliation. As you move through the exhibition, you’ll notice how each artist juxtaposes darkness and light, concealment and revelation. Orwell’s belief that true clarity and understanding only emerge through honesty and self-confrontation is palpable in these works. With each stroke, Ghita, Luiza, and Popa reject superficial interpretations in favor of a more nuanced, authentic expression of their experiences.
“Reflections of Self” is not merely an exhibition—it is an invitation to witness the often lonely and tumultuous process of becoming. It’s a journey where these three young artists, confronted by their own reflections, paint their way through confusion, disillusionment, and despair. As Orwell observed, “The loneliness of the long-distance writer is a condition of existence”—and so it is for these creators. Their works are testaments to the courage it takes to embrace vulnerability, where the act of creation becomes both a battle and a victory. This exhibition captures the transformative power of art, where each piece is a luminous mark on the canvas of their own evolving selves.
