The exhibition “Catharsis at the edge of the world. A Suzana Fântânariu retrospective” at the end

The National Museum of Art Timisoara (MNArT) announces the closing of the exhibition “Catharsis at the Edge of the World. Suzana Fântânariu, o retrospectivă / Catharsis at an edge of the world. Suzana Fântânariu, a retrospective” on July 28, 2024.

The exhibition, open to the public between 07.12.2023 – 28.07.2024, offers visitors a deep insight into the work and artistic vision of one of the most important figures of Romanian contemporary art, Suzana Fântânariu.

Comprising representative works from different stages of her career, the exhibition is a unique opportunity to discover the complexity and depth of Suzanne Fântânariu’s creations since 1974 to the present, expressed in various techniques, such as drawing, installation, object-books, engraving, assemblage, collage, etc. The public had the opportunity to discover established works from different periods, such as the series ‘Packages for the Soul’, various object-books, the ‘Utopian Diaries’ cycle, as well as lesser-known works such as the engravings from her student days, exhibited for the first time in 50 years, documents from the artist’s archive or more intimate aspects of her creation, such as the wood engraving kit or the wood engraving plates on display in Space 7 of the exhibition, which reveal the titanic work of an artist who has left her mark on Eastern European art over the last half-century.

Born in 1947 in Baia, Suceava County, Suzana Fântânariu settled in Timișoara in 1986, where she had a teaching and exhibition career of the highest order, successfully representing the identity of Romanian art and the city that became her home in hundreds of national and international exhibitions, biennials, triennials and forums dedicated to contemporary art at the highest level.

During the course of the exhibition, MNArT hosted numerous related events, including guided tours, creative workshops, movie screenings, discussions with art critics and curators, aimed at giving the public a deeper understanding of Suzanne Fântânariu’s work and the influences that have shaped it. A series of substantial texts inspired by the exhibition generated important reactions in the national and international press.

The curator of the exhibition, Dr. Andreea Foanene, said, “We are extremely pleased with the success of the exhibition and the increased public interest in Suzanne Fântânariu’s work. This retrospective has been an opportunity to celebrate a remarkable career, to encourage a wider appreciation of Romanian contemporary art and to enrich the MNArT’s spaces and heritage with the creations of one of the most important Romanian artists of the last half of the 20th century, Suzana Fântânariu“.

Before the exhibition closes on Sunday, 28 July, from 18.30, there will be a Free guided tour, a last opportunity to explore the universe created by artist Suzana Fântânariu. The maximum number of participants is 20, with prior registration at 0734775554 or on contact@mnart.museum. For more information about our events, please visit the MNArT website https://mnart.museum/ or follow us on social media.

We remind you that on July 26, 27, 28, on the occasion of the celebration of Timis County Day, the access to the museum is free.

Thanks to everyone who visited the exhibition and attended our events. MNArT remains dedicated to its mission of promoting contemporary art and providing a platform to research, highlight, connect and enhance the heritage in its care.