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The Second Chapter : Interview with Woojun Lee (Korean ver.)

  이 대화는 'Defining Moments'의 두 번째 챕터 'The Artist’s Muse: What Inspires You(예술가의 뮤즈: 무엇이 당신을 움직이나요)'를 이어가는 네 번째 인터뷰입니다. 자동차 와이퍼가 내는 뻑뻑한 마찰음, 엔진의 고동, 그리고 가속 페달을 밟을 때 전해지는 미세한 반동. 이우준 작가는 이처럼 지극히 일상적인 물리적 이동의 과정 속에서 인간과 세계를 잇는 새로운 서사를 발견해 왔습니다. 한때 화려한 색채와 명확한 형태를 지닌 자연에 머물던 작가의 시선은, 이제 우리 곁을 부유하는 일상적인 자극과 감각의 변화로 옮겨왔습니다. 그에게 뮤즈란 먼 여행지나 특별한 환경에 존재하는 것이 아니라, 매일 마주하는 기계적인 감각들이 어느덧 예술적 필연성으로 다가오는 찰나의 순간입니다. 그동안 시리즈 중심의 연작을 통해 풍경 속에 담긴 관계의 층위를 탐구해 온 작가는, 이제 하나의 개별 사진이 지닐 수 있는 독자적인 가능성에 주목합니다. 그에게 자동차나 기차는 단순히 공간을 옮겨주는 도구를 넘어, 자아와 환경을 매개하는 ‘물리적 연결수단’입니다. 어둠 속 번개처럼 강렬하게 폭발하는 일상의 긍정적인 자극들은 작가의 렌즈를 통해 주변과 세상을 환하게 비추는 빛의 기록으로 치환됩니다. 이번 인터뷰에서는 매일 걷고 기록하며 풍경과 상호작용하는 작가만의 고요한 루틴, 그리고 내면의 깊은 공명이 있을 때에만 변화를 택하는 작가 특유의 견고한 예술적 기준이 그의 진솔한 목소리로 펼쳐집니다. 낯선 곳을 향한 갈망에서 일상의 재발견으로 회귀하며 깨달은 감각의 깊이, 그리고 사진이라는 틀을 넘어 앞으로 탐색하고자 하는 새로운 영역에 대한 열린 태도까지, 창작을 지탱해 온 보이지 않는 연결의 실들을 작가의 언어로 세밀하게 조명했습니다. 본   텍스트는 작가의 생생한 어조...

Interview with Alexandra Niculescu (English ver.)





Q. Welcome to u1 Gallery. We deeply appreciate you taking the time to join us  for this interview. To begin, could you kindly introduce yourself and share  how your journey in art began? 

A. Thank you for having me at the u1 Gallery. I'm Alexandra, an abstract  expressionist artist based in Bucharest. My journey began in childhood with  frequent painting. After my second childbirth, I received a scholarship  from the Milan Art Institute in the USA, which marked the start of my full -time career as an artist. 


Q. Among your body of work, is there a particular piece or series that you  feel was especially pivotal in shaping your artistic career?

A. "Expectant Euphony" with its abstract depiction of a pregnant woman,  beautifully merges the Old Masters palette and Rococo elegance. It marks  my artistic metamorphosis during pregnancy while facing thrombophilia and  was my first step into figurative art.






Q. Could you walk us through your creative process? How do you approach the  development and expression of your ideas through your art? 

A. I draw inspiration from the Old Masters, especially the Rococo period.  During my creative process, thoughts about my paintings naturally emerge,  including their names and broader concepts. I start with a palette knife  to lay down layers on canvas and overlap them extensively. This layering  continues with both big and small brushes until completion, using  intuitive brush strokes that just roll out naturally. The depth of my  paintings is enhanced by a powerful narrative story.





Q. Are there specific artists, movements, or works that have significantly  influenced your artistic vision and practice?

A. The Rococo artists like Watteau, Fragonard, and Boucher captivate my  vision with their powerful use of color. Helen Frankenthaler's dynamic  abstract expressionism also captivates me. Pat Paslow's "Stow" enchants  with its blue and warm orange contrast. Elaine de Kooning's "The Bull"  adds to this vibrant inspiration through its energetic brushwork.


Q. What do you hope audiences experience or take away when they engage with  your art? Is there a particular message or meaning you aim to convey? 

A. My recent pieces incorporate symbols of hope, triumph, and power. They  reflect my journey through motherhood and the challenges I faced with  thrombophilia during pregnancy, which required 300 injections. Despite  these difficulties, I triumphed with a healthy child. My art celebrates  strength and conveys a message of overcoming challenges with a vibrant  mindset. I aim to inspire brightness and joy in life.  




Q. Looking ahead, do you have a dream project you aspire to undertake? Could  you share some of your future plans or aspirations as an artist?

A. I aspire to create powerful, meaningful pieces filled with vibrant  emotions and depth. I want my art to inspire and connect with people,  leaving a lasting impression in their minds. Each piece is personal and  significant, embodying the power of a woman through emotion, color, story  and depth.

Q. How has your work evolved over time? Are there any specific themes or ideas  you find yourself returning to throughout your career?

A. My work has evolved to incorporate more personal themes, focusing on the  strength and resilience of women. I often return to ideas of hope,  triumph, and emotional depth, using vibrant colors and storytelling.

Q. Do you find that the context of your surroundings—whether cultural, social,  or environmental—affects your artistic process or the themes you explore?

A. Living in Bucharest, a city rich in interwar architecture, has influenced  my art. Known as 'Little Paris,' its grandeur and richness have inspired  me since childhood. The vibrant atmosphere fuels my exploration of themes  like resilience and transformation. 




Q. Finally, is there anything you would like our readers to know about you or  your work that we haven’t covered?

A. Blue is a recurring presence in my paintings, serving as both inspiration  and dreamscape. It embodies my thoughts and visions, creating skies where  dreams come true. This color weaves through my art, inviting viewers into  a world of imagination. Blue helps me tell my story and reveal truths; it  represents authenticity for me, guiding viewers through genuine emotions and narratives. 






Contact 

Artist : Alexandra Niculescu
E-mail : alexandra.niculescuart@gmail.com
Instagram : @a
lexandra_niculescuart

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