Bogdan Mihai Radu (b. 1979, Sibiu) is a Romanian painter known for his abstract landscapes, depiction of flowers and deeply colourful, textured paintings. He spent his childhood in the iris-filled fields of Transylvania, Romania where he first discovered his passion for art. After taking part in several noteworthy group and solo exhibitions in Romania, Bogdan moved to London after winning 1st prize in the Oxford International Art Fair in 2018. In November 2020, Bogdan was Knighted by the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, for promoting Romania’s image abroad and for his contribution to arts and culture in the United Kingdom.
Hello, Bogdan. I have noticed an increase in your artistic activity in the last year, somehow contradictory to the situation due to the pandemic.
I think it has been a good year for artists, as well as for investors, collectors, and patrons of the arts. Many people who did not have much time to dedicate to discovering artists before the pandemic have now shown an interest in art and artists, and I’ve especially noticed that in how I’ve been approached lately. People have reached out to me to find out more about my work and want to familiarise themselves as well as actively participate in artistic and creative processes. I also noticed a change in the way homeowners approach tenants. They have become more lenient with rented spaces which enabled me this past Spring to transform an apartment in central London into a studio space.
How do you think art sales will evolve and how do you think your work will continue in the next period?
According to specialists overall sales will increase, or at least, remain constant from what I’ve read in different publications . From what I noticed, people are much more concerned with the appearance of their homes and they want to purchase things that contribute to the overall vibe and atmosphere of their living spaces. This involves acquiring art and increases the prospects of investing in art.
Due to a higher flow of direct sales and my studio providing me with more space to work in, I have had the opportunity to focus on new subjects and also on new dimensions. My creative process has changed a lot. I begin by preparing my work surface, which involves more attention in mounting and treating the canvas onto the frame. I believe that this process has transformed into a form of therapy; it’s where I dedicate a lot of my time to. The only places I had unlimited access to during this period were nature, parks, and forests. The need for open spaces and colour directed my attention to the creation of works with different textures and colours. An example of this is one of my most recent works, Dead Flowers, which expresses this change in habits and the alternation of perspective on time.
What are your short-term and long-term goals for your art and art practice?
Regarding my participation in exhibitions, the future remains uncertain and therefore, I am unable to share any solid plans in regards to these. But what I can say is that I have worked a lot on my online presence this past year, particularly on redesigning my website and sharing my work on social media. I have been working with professional people in the industry and I can say that I am very happy to have the opportunity to work with them. I am very optimistic about the future, and in the long run, I feel I will be exactly where I need to be.
How do you understand life now?
For me, painting has been and will always be the means by which I can live. I cannot perceive a better way to express myself, to develop, and to exist.
Website – https://www.bogdanmihairadu.com
