Andrei Arion (born in 1996) lives and works in Cluj-Napoca. He studied Photography and Video Art at The Faculty of Art and Design in Timișoara. His practice revolves around sculpture and installation. In 2021 he exhibited at the Jecza Gallery, Timișoara, in the summer show Light Clarity Avocado Salad in the Morning and in 2022 he was part of the group show At the Edge of the World at The Art Encounters Foundation, Timișoara.
“I am interested in the connection between memories and experiences from my own past, as well as the absurd perspective of an alter ego that is trapped in a childlike way of thinking. My sculptures are constructed as imaginary tools with precise purposes, yet made in such a way that highlights a lot of obstacles when trying to achieve said purposes.”
You can follow Andrei on his Instagram profile.
Q&A with Andrei Arion
When did you discover your passion for art and what does art mean to you?
Art is a means I use to play with material stuff and ideas. I wouldn’t call it a passion, but rather an integral part of the way I live. I have a strong need to build objects I have never seen before and to play with them. I am striving to have a “hands on” approach when it comes to the production of my works and this is due to my father’s handyman guidelines.
Describe yourself briefly: what triggers your emotions or what makes you angry?
People often tell me I seem unfriendly, as I am an introvert. I don’t talk so much and I don’t really know how to connect with new people as I seldom want to talk to someone who is not familiar to me. I incline to do things on my own, which don’t need the involvement of other people. Lately, watching people who make dioramas relaxes me.
Describe your artistic vision: sources of inspiration, techniques, messages you want to communicate to audiences.
In brief, I produce peculiar objects and starting from those I tell absurd and childish stories.
Who influenced you on your path and how?
I “stole” a few things from some of my friends who are artists, but I couldn’t say there is one person who influenced so much.
What work of art your produced you like best and what does it mean to you?
When I finish an artwork and I start a new one, I become less interested in my previous work. I don’t have any favourite artworks, neither done by me, nor by other artists.
What moment in your career made you happy?
I am very happy when I am invited to present my works in an exhibition or when I am selected for an Open Call.
What do you expect from Accelerator programme?
It was very nice for me to have met professionals in the area with whom I had the chance to discuss openly.
What other artists inspired you and why?
Jonathan van Doornum is an artist from the Netherlands whom I find him really cool. I can relate to his practice from the visual point of view, as well as from the conceptual perspective.
What are your future plans?
For me, it is very important to be as active as possible in the artistic environment. If I succeed in doing that, then the rest of the things will settle very well by themselves.
Work of the Artist
in Back to Where It All Began Exhibition
