Eugenia Mangra Biography
EDUCATION & BIO
I was born in 1956, in Salonta, Romania. I graduated the University of Visual Arts Oradea and achieved a degree in Painting at the University of Art and Design Cluj- Napoca, Romania.
I am a member of the Romanian Professional Artists Association, painting department.
My works can be found in private collections in Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Australia.
A selected list of my EXHIBITIONS is as follows:
2015 - National Art Biennial, Piatra Neamt Art Museum, Romania 2015 - Moldavian Salons, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova 2015 - Selected by the international Selections Committee to participate in the 10th Edition of the Florence Biennale, Italy 2015 - Zenit Nadir Gallery, Oradea, Romania 2014 - Municipal Art Salon, Crisurilor County Museum, Oradea, Romania 2014 - Palace of the Parliament Bucharest, C. Brancusi Hall, International Art Salon 2013 - Crisurilor County Museum, Baroque Palace, Oradea, Romania 2013 - International Biennial of Painting CHISINAU - 2013, Moldova 2013 - International Exhibition, BALCIC – Artists Without Borders, Ruse, Bulgaria 2012 - International Exhibition, Silistra Art Gallery, Bulgaria 2012 - SAFTH Expo 2012, Newaygo, Michigan, USA 2012 - National Fine Art Exhibition, Cultural Center "George Topirceanu" Curtea de Arges, Romania 2012 - National Salon of Fine Arts "Attitudes", Miercurea Ciuc, Romania 2012 - UAP ARTEX Gallery, Ramnicu Valcea, Romania 2011 - National Fine Art Exhibition, UNESCO Cultural Center “Ionel Perlea” Slobozia, Romania 2011 - National Salon of Fine Arts "Contemporary Attitudes", Curtea de Arges, Romania 2011 - UAP Gallery Tonitza, Iasi, Romania 2011 - SALON D’ETE 2011, Galerie Art Present , Paris 2011 - National Salon of Fine Arts "Contemporary Attitudes", Tulcea, Romania 2011 - “Maria Filotti” Theater, Braila, Romania 2011 - Ion Andreescu Gallery, Buzau, Romania 2011 - UAP ARTEX Gallery, Ramnicu Valcea, Romania 2011 - Art Gallery Hunedoara, Romania 2011 - “Tony Bulandra” Theater, Targoviste, Romania 2010 - "Ion Andreescu Biennale", Buzau, Romania 2010 - National Fine Art Exhibition, UNESCO Cultural Center “Ionel Perlea” Slobozia, Romania 2010 - National Salon of Fine Arts "Contemporary Attitudes", Curtea de Arges, Romania 2009 - Crisana Gallery, Felix , Romania 2006 - Decoration of Rodenta Stomatology Clinic, Oradea, Romania 2005 - Cultural Centre Liviu Rebreanu, Aiud, Romania 2004 - Crisurilor County Museum, Baroque Palace , Oradea, Romania 2004 - Oradea Fortress Gallery, Romania 2003 - Oradea Fortress Gallery, Romania 2002 - Oradea Fortress Gallery, Romania 2001 - Oradea Fortress Gallery, Romania 2000 - Michigan, USA 1990 - 2000 - Crisana Gallery, Felix , Romania 1995 - Military Circle Oradea, Romania 1994 - Lotus Hotel Gallery, Felix, Romania 1993 - Military Circle, Oradea, Romania 1991 - Art-Expo. Vat, Hungary 1991 - Art-Expo. Budapesta, Va, Hungary 1990 - Schwedt , Lewerkusen, Germany 1990 - Crisana Gallery, Felix, Romania 1987 - Dalles Gallery, Bucharest, Romania
AWARDS
Artslant 1st 2014 Showcase Winner (International) Silver Award, Artmajeur, 2012 (International) Artslant 4th 2011 Showcase Winner (International) Silver Award, Artmajeur, 2010 (International) Artslant Juried Showcase Winner - September 2009 (International) Artslant Juried Showcase Winner - May 2009 (International)
REVIEW
Like a multicolored stained glass, the paintings of the artist Eugenia Mangra have a specific impact, generated by the intense and vivid brightness of the spectral colors, arranged in a subtle balance, and alternating between the solar shades of red, yellow, orange and the cold ones of blue, green, violet. Whatever the addressed motif, abstract compositions help define a subjective style, a universe of wonderful beauty, where the alert graphism separates the mosaics of color shades.
The modernism of the images derives from the dynamism of plastic expression: color spaces defined by undulating lines crisscrossing large, pictorial surfaces, giving rise to random rhythms, always unique, enriched by the specific footprint of the dripping. Through the specific processes of gestural painting, Eugenia Mangra transfers on canvas not only her primordial passion for color, but also the emotion, the intensity of the feelings induced by the beauty of creation, synthesized by four elements: Fire, Water, Sky and Earth. The intense and rich brightness of the solar shades help define the symbolic meaning of the works, the artist frequently explores cosmic implications, but also the spiritual or passionate side of the fire element. Depending on the subject of the work, the red color corresponds to the sun, the summer, or to emotion, heart passions and inner fire: The Land of the Sun, Burning Light, Under the Moonlight, Triumph of the Sun, Dawn, Sunshine through the Rain, Seasons of the Sun, Sunset Touch, The Birth of the Phoenix, The Glow of Love, The Passion of Life, Love, The Rhythm of Love, On the Wings of Love, Eternal Love. Other important works: The Other Side of the Ocean, The Glare of the Night, Waiting for Tonight, Skylight, From Dusk Till Dawn impress through the discrete glow of shades of cobalt blue or green. Another pictorial series capitalizes the geometric symbolism of the circle, the wheel of destiny, par excellence symbol of movement, transformation and cosmic infinity: Circle of Life, Across Time, Endless Moment, Fire and Water. The temperate modernism of the artist sometimes integrates figurative elements, especially portraits, exploring the mystery of feminine subjects: Desire, Ancestral Dream, Sensuality, Moon Dance, Fire and Ice, Flamenco Dancer.
Whether they express the essence of cosmic elements and metamorphoses, or suggest the intensity of a state of mind, the paintings of Eugenia Mangra conquer the viewer through the mirage of blazing colors and a deep inner dynamism, inherent to the approached techniques and themes.
Dr. Agata Chifor, art historian