A captivating collection of 14 exquisite paintings, created in large format- 100x160cm, each portraying one of the most significant celebrations in the pastoral Romanian calendar, thoughtfully arranged in chronological order. This series weaves together the rich tapestry of ancestral, pre-Christian, and cosmological traditions with their religious counterparts, offering a profound exploration of Romania’s cultural heritage. The collection draws its inspiration from the enchanting and authentic region of Originally conceived as part of the prestigious H Retreat project, this series of 14 paintings was specifically designed to adorn each of the retreat’s 14 rooms, each themed around a pastoral celebration. These art pieces were born from a desire to honor and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Romania.
Originally conceived as part of our ongoing H Retreat project, this series of 14 paintings was specifically designed to adorn each of the retreat’s 14 rooms, each themed around a pastoral celebration. These art pieces were born from a desire to honor and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Romania.
It was a true privilege to showcase the entire collection in October 2024 at the National Bank of Romania headquarters, under the esteemed patronage of the U.S. Embassy in Romania. The exhibition was part of the Female Empowerment Summit, an inspiring event dedicated to celebrating the achievements and potential of women. For a deeper dive into this remarkable journey, I have written extensively about the experience here.
Sângeorz Painting
100x160cm, acrylics on canvas
In popular legends, St. George is the “watchman of time”; he is entrusted with the keys of the weather and, at his command, the warm season closes and opens.
On the eve of St. George’s Day, April 22, popularly called the “St. George of the Cows” or “The Chosen One”, a series of customs are held that ritually mark the beginning of the pastoral year, being a celebration of the shepherds. These include the choice of shepherds, the choice of lambs and the preparation of the sheep for the first milking, as well as the preparation of the first curd. The first milking of the sheep is marked by ritual gestures, since the celebration involves entering a sacred time interval in which the forces of nature could be influenced. The first milking was done through a traditional bagel or through a wreath of plants with magical properties, which were believed to be able to ensure the health of the animals and abundance in milk production.
