After engineering, graphic arts and product design studies, Lucia Ghegu (born in 1990) earned a research scholarship at Accademia di Romania in Rome (2018-2020) during which she developed an artistic project on the impact of post-communist migration on the Romanians living in Italy. In her recent works that include both large-scale drawings, light installations and objects on the border between sculpture and product design, she is interested in architectural space, mobility understood as fluidity, migration, community, identity, constant tension between expectations and reality, but also the poetics and aesthetics of the image. Lucia frequently chooses drawing as a solution against the hyper-technological trend, a quick and spontaneous note that mediates the transition from idea to object and documents the process.
Personal history often marks the starting point in her research, which develops in anthropological, social or architectural directions. Lucia Ghegu seeks the intersection points between personal and universal histories, aiming through to ask questions, to push towards direct experiences and not to offer answers or categorical situations.
Details on Lucia’s artistic practice on her Instagram profile.
Q&A with Lucia Ghegu
When did you discover your passion for art and what does art mean to you?
Sometimes I joke saying I discovered my passion for art watching a TV programme which included an art section I was totally fascinated by. I don’t believe there is a particular moment when I discovered my passion for art. I always felt the need to create images or to look at something that triggers my emotions.
Describe yourself briefly: what triggers your emotions or what makes you angry?
Though most of my artworks are symmetrical, my interests and choices are opposite. My hobbies change and, sometimes, become (temporary) obsessions, which, then, turn into a starting point for my works.
I like contrasts, changes, ephemeral and simple things, which, most of the times, we pass by without noticing; architecture, relationships between people, technology and, at the same time, traditions and rituals.
It is ignorance that makes me angry, lack of curiosity, biaes, unfair judgements.
Describe your artistic vision: sources of inspiration, techniques, messages you want to communicate to audiences.
In my work, the sketchbook is the most important asset. I carry it with me all the time. During the process, sketches become larger drawings or small mock-ups and, then, objects. Generally, I start building on a certain feeling I would like the audience to experience. It is like a circuit which starts with a personal experience and ends with the experience of the public – which, for me, is more important than the artwork itself. I am interested in the universal dimension of individual experiences.
Who influenced you on your path and how?
I was attending my first year of my university studies at Polytechnics, when I met Matei Șerban Sandu with whom I started to take drawing lessons. This was a turning point for me. I am lucky because the people I usually meet are special; but, probably, this meeting with Matei, who taught me how to think, to approach things, was very important to what was to follow.
What work of art your produced you like best and what does it mean to you?
I like the most the artwork I am about to make. Once finished, I take some steps apart from my works to be able to understand them. And the next one enters a dialogue with the previous one. When I start a new artwork, I enjoy feelings I have, my motivation and my hope: I mean the hope that it will be closer to perfection, because we all aspire to that.
What moment in your career made you happy?
Exhibitions, feedback or other successes are important, but, for me, they come second as a source of satisfaction. Surely, I set myself objectives, but, when I reach them, I set new ones even more ambitious and hard to achieve. I am very happy when I am fully satisfied with an artwork after having finished it. This happens quite seldom, but it motives me more than other previous confirmations.
What do you expect from Accelerator programme?
Accelerator programme has been intense and challenging through the tasks and exercises we had until now. Most of all, I like my colleagues, the mentors, the group – the team which was made up. I believe art is a collaborative process, I think we have a lot to learn from each other and I appreciate dialogue and exchanging opinions.
What other artists inspired you and why?
More than an artist who inspires me, there are artworks that I like very much. Then, the attitude towards art inspires me, the working process of some artists, but I find it difficult to choose only one, as there are many I admire and for different reasons.
What are your future plans?
I imagine myself being an old lady and keeping making art every day without loosing enthusiasm and motivation.
Works of the Artist
in Back to Where It All Began Exhibition
