Claudiu Ciobanu (b. 1984; lives and works in Iasi, Romania)
Claudiu Ciobanu's visual practice is distinctly focused on painting and drawing, areas in which the artist consistently expresses his aesthetic concerns and experiments, thereby contributing to the contemporary artistic discourse through an innovative and reflective approach. Recently, his focus has shifted towards studying the body and its complex relationship with society. In 2024, he participated in a research residency on the topic of "body politics" at the prestigious Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) in Berlin, Germany. Following this residency, he developed a series of works, some of which will be showcased in an exhibition at the Artep Gallery in Iași in the fall of 2024.
His most recent exhibition took place in 2023 at the Romanian Cultural Institute in Vienna and was titled "Memento vivere." This exhibition discusses the implications of the posthuman condition and how technology affects our lives, presenting a new perspective in which contemporary painting can be used to explore posthumanist philosophy.
In his work, the imprint of his personal experiences is evident, as he explores themes such as memory, space, time, and imaginary realities, all centered on self-reflection and introspection. His research prioritizes the search for truth and the quest for clarity, aiming for the possibly unattainable synthesis between metaphysics and art, rather than focusing on the emotional impact of his pieces. He is dedicated to communicating aspects relevant to the contemporary context and conveying a profound message about the world in general.
Ciobanu studied painting through the Erasmus program at the Universidad de Salamanca, Spain where he discovered experimental painting and drawing techniques. The studies in Spain were completed with a drawing exhibition project which was later selected in 2009 for the Young Romanian Art 10 exhibition, "Slightly bored", curated by Mircea Nicolae at Galeria Nouă, ICR, Venice. He participated in various projects both national and international, being present in exhibitions in Romania, Poland, Israel, Washington, Berlin, Vienna.