Meet Mircea Modreanu | Visual Artist & Gallerist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mircea Modreanu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mircea, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In 2018, I had this idea that came out of a mix of frustration and a bit of dreaming. My apartment, which until then was just my personal space, turned almost overnight into ETAJ, an artist-run space right in the heart of my living room. It all started because I couldn’t wait to show my art, as did some of my artist friends, but we kept hitting the same wall – traditional galleries’ rigid, formal atmosphere didn’t suit us. So ETAJ was born, almost as if we had started a hub where the only rule was to be unabashedly creative. It quickly turned into this hotspot where young artists, fresh out of school or just starting to find their groove, along with more experienced ones, could hang out, show their work, and be part of a community.

That’s when I realised that this little project of mine wasn’t just about avoiding the commercial gallery milieu, but it was more about connecting to this bigger picture – this common struggle of artists in Romania, and especially in Bucharest, where finding a decent place to exhibit your work can seem like a wild goose chase. By opening my space under the name ETAJ – which translates as ”storey”, cause it s the first storey of the building – I guess I tried to throw a small pebble into the pond, in the hope that it might create some ripples, make things easier and maybe, just maybe, inspire others to open their spaces.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art fundamentally revolves around the concept of existence, and I firmly believe that in the realm of artistic expression, it’s not the tangible artifact that holds significance, but rather how one leads their life. My creative process transcends the boundaries of my formal education in graphics, embracing a wide spectrum of techniques and materials. This inclination towards creation was something innate, a passion that manifested early on as I sketched on walls in my youth.

As I navigated through different mediums—painting, installation, performance, sculpture, and video—I encountered the sobering reality of pursuing art in Romania. The journey is fraught with challenges, making it exceedingly difficult to sustain oneself solely through one’s art. It’s a constant battle to keep afloat while preserving one’s artistic identity. I’ve seen numerous talented individuals, friends, and former colleagues, reluctantly detach from the art world, compelled by the need to secure a stable income, often abandoning their initial aspirations. Despite these hurdles, I find myself in a phase where my art appreciation has intensified, more so than ever before. This growing fondness for art, despite the obstacles, underscores a profound resilience and a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of artistic endeavor.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
During the daytime, a nice plan would be to explore some galleries, selecting them based on the exhibitions they’re displaying. In the evenings, we can unwind and enjoy some beers in downtown Bucharest.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The establishment of ETAJ artist-run space was a collaborative effort, initiated alongside esteemed colleagues such as Dragoș Dumitrașcu, Ștefan Botiș, Mihai Coltofean, Radu Pandele, Lucian Hrisav, Diana Manole, Dumitru Gurjii, and Constantin Rusu. Their contributions were foundational during the early stages of the project, but over time the original group transitioned, making way for new comrades like Răzvan Năstase and Lucian Sandu Milea, who joined and added their perspectives to the evolving initiative. Currently, the collaboration continues with Ilina Schileru, Ioana Aron, and Calina Coman, whose involvement is instrumental in sustaining and advancing the objectives of ETAJ. Throughout this journey, consistent support from Bucă George has been invaluable. His role, characterized by steady assistance and friendship, has been a cornerstone in both the development of ETAJ and my trajectory within the art community.

Website: https://etajartistrunspace.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mondreanu/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mircea-modreanu-291509222/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modreanu.mircea/

Other: https://www.instagram.com/etajartistrunspace/ https://www.facebook.com/etajartistrunspace/

Image Credits
Mircea Modreanu