Page 180 - World of Art Contemporary Art magazine: The 2023 Guggenheim issue

THE ANATOMY OF DREAM, 2023 OIL ON CANVAS 20X20 IN. | 51X51 CM.
FINE ART CULTURE A VISIT AT THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, 2020 OIL ON CANVAS 18X24 IN. | 46X61 CM.

RODICA ALECSANDRA PETRESCU
Lives and works in Albany, New York, United States of America
http://www.rodicaworld.com/ | https://www.artmajeur.com/sandramiller

I’m an introvert by nature and need to spend time with my thoughts
and observations. The solitude of painting gives me that only true ‘me
time’ that reveals bits of my inner world.
While there is a landscape in every single oil on canvas I paint,
illustrating Mother Nature’s immeasurable beauty is not one of my
goals. My paintings aim to establish an emotional, psychological
connection with an audience able to find beauty in mindscapes
imbued with both the peace of Nature and the chaos brought forth
by Man. The tyranny of time and urban alienation clashing with the
vastness of inner peace: a reflection of ineffable states of being and
the mysteries of the universe within.
Some of my aesthetics stem from the likes of Pontormo and Giorgione,
great painters of the High Renaissance, whose attunement for human
states of mind and concept of ‘poesia’ invite contemplation.
With each composition, I challenge myself to convert abstract notions
into visual elements to create technically accomplished works. In an
open dialog with my inner world, detail oriented and drawing from
memory, abstraction and figuration are side by side in harmony with

the narrative emerging only after the lyrical content manifests itself
fully. The ultimate goal is to create a dream-like atmosphere that will
entice the viewer to embark on an introspective journey of their own.
In addition, I seek to explore the contrast between light and darkness,
both literally and metaphorically, in my paintings. I use light as a
symbol of hope, clarity, and transcendence, while darkness represents
fear, uncertainty, and ignorance. I also play with the perspective
and depth of field to create a sense of movement and dynamism
in my paintings. I want to convey the idea that reality is not fixed or
static, but rather fluid and changing according to our perception and
emotions. I hope that my paintings can inspire the viewer to question
their own reality and discover new possibilities within themselves.

178 WORLD of ART