Once more, paintings, tapestry, ceramics

A special display has opened at the Simeza Gallery and will remain available for the public until August 17. Although the exhibition was prepared by Stela Ganescu, the artist was unable to attend the opening because fate took her from among us.

That is why the presentation, “in memoriam,” conveys not only the creation fire but also the pain for a lost artist. We find here paintings, tapestries, and ceramics – only pictures of it. They are works from the artist’s last period.

Stela Ganescu’s vitality at over 80 is beyond doubt. The landscapes from Dragoslavele are a personal green, a little raw, a little unreal: “Izvorul din Dragoslavele,” “Schitul din Dragoslavele,” “Piatra Caselor din Dragoslavele,” “Casa taraneasca din Arges.” A “Nude in nature” sets dreams free and the flowers on the table bring a little intimacy and equilibrium: “Flori in vaza (cu mere),” “Flori in vas ceramic.”

The images are characterised by peace and natural calm oozing from the flowers’ realism. “Nude study (calm and Epicurean)” holds the deepest meaning: sensuality without showing off is the main quality of this canvas. Two tapestries (“20th century Cosmos” and “Verbalisation”) complete the picture of a complete artist, next to pictures of vases and ceramic statuettes (“Primavara,” “Fata din Oltenia”).

Stela Ganescu was born in Cincul Mare – Fagaras and graduated from the Belle Arte Academy in Bucharest in 1938, after studying with the time’s masters: airato, Ressu, Darascu, Cecilia Cutescu -Storck, Horia Teodoru, Tzigara Samurcas.

Since 1953, she had over 25 displays in the country and participated in an impressive number of exhibitions abroad. In 1955, Stela Ganescu received an award at the 5th World Youths’ Festival in Warsaw. In 1962, she received the Honour Diploma at the International Ceramics Contest in Prague. Her activity was appreciated in the album: “Masters of Modern Ceramics” edited at Faenza (Italy), in 1984.

Her works are in collections of museums all over the country: the Bucharest Art Museum, the Sibiu Brukenthal Museum, the Popular Art Museum In Bucharest, the GalatI Art Museum.

Stela Ganescu’s signature is also present in the Nations Cultures Museum in Mexico. The artist is renowned for her ceramic, decorative objects and monumental artwork.