Teodora Axente
Teodora Axente’s work is centered on the duality of spirit and matter—the two spheres of existence between which humans oscillate in an attempt to uncover themselves. Portraying an unexpected array of materials, Axente addresses the essential human drive to reshape oneself. Through the flashy materiality of aluminum foil, satin pillows, nylon bags or curtains, she brings us into a world of mystery that appears to be spiritual, noble and attractive, on first glance. Aluminum foil serves as the central symbol of matter throughout many of her paintings. Its outward shine and its ability to reflect give off an illusory sense of nobility that blinds her subjects.
Her paintings depict scenes and scenarios that highlight the condition of the individual within contemporary society. Due to the deepening divide between the inner, spiritual self and the worldly counterpart, the individual exists in a state of inner crisis. Teodora’s characters strive for the mystical in an attempt to detach themselves from the material world. In their efforts to reach a sacred sphere, they discover that they can merely mimic mystic rituals as in a game. Ultimately, they fashion themselves a lavish prison which holds them captive without their awareness. The pathos of her …
Teodora Axente’s work is centered on the duality of spirit and matter—the two spheres of existence between which humans oscillate in an attempt to uncover themselves. Portraying an unexpected array of materials, Axente addresses the essential human drive to reshape oneself. Through the flashy materiality of aluminum foil, satin pillows, nylon bags or curtains, she brings us into a world of mystery that appears to be spiritual, noble and attractive, on first glance. Aluminum foil serves as the central symbol of matter throughout many of her paintings. Its outward shine and its ability to reflect give off an illusory sense of nobility that blinds her subjects.
Her paintings depict scenes and scenarios that highlight the condition of the individual within contemporary society. Due to the deepening divide between the inner, spiritual self and the worldly counterpart, the individual exists in a state of inner crisis. Teodora’s characters strive for the mystical in an attempt to detach themselves from the material world. In their efforts to reach a sacred sphere, they discover that they can merely mimic mystic rituals as in a game. Ultimately, they fashion themselves a lavish prison which holds them captive without their awareness. The pathos of her work is revealed in the recognition that despite all their efforts, her characters are trapped by the reality they seek to escape.
In 2011 Teodora Axente was the recipient of the Essl Art Award resulting in a group exhibition at Essl Museum in Vienna. In 2015 her work was exhibited at Boulder MoCA Colorado, Museum of Art, Cluj-Napoca, and at Hugo Voeten Art Center in Belgium. She has had solo exhibitions of her work at Galleira Doris Ghetta, Ortisei, Italy, Zorzini Gallery, Bucharest, Romania, Ana Cristea Gallery, New York and Gallery Casa Matei, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. In May 2016 she will have a solo presentation at Hugo Voeten Art Center.
Courtesy of Ana Cristea Gallery
