Showcase 2 Entry - Drawing - Artist's Statement
"Heritage. Migration"
Part of the "Migration" Series

The Bird has lived a symbiotic coexistence with her birth land. She is enmeshed with the growth rhythms of the landscape, both natural and man-made. When the time comes to migrate, the Bird takes with her the memories of her native land. Images are woven into her body and soul, forming a tapestry of heritage. Once afloat, the Bird will soar the heavens in search of a new place that will nourish her, making her survival possible and perpetual.

Pen and Ink. Black and White

Inspired by travels, journeys, flight, time, space and the coexistence of opposing forces, several cycles of pen & ink drawings have emerged lately from my studio, awaiting their unveiling to the public eye:

The “Migration” series
The “Journeys & Generations” series
The “Relationships” series

The Migration Series

Travelling is experiencing with intensity.

Beyond exploring, travelling is about acquiring a sense of place.

Beyond contemplating the flow of shapes in a landscape, I kneel to the ground, run my fingers through sand, dirt, grass. I focus on the silence. In that frame of mind and spirit I try to feel the life force within, a pulse.

Beyond entering and exiting a space, I accumulate visual information by observing key-characteristics from up-close and up-above. I make note of features from a variety of perspectives to the target-objects: from the growth pattern of a leaf to the structure of a village seen from atop a medieval tower, from the abstract erosions carved by time into a piece of stone to the striped vineyard patterns on the hills of a Tuscan landscape. Up-close characteristics generate texture. Up-above characteristics determine structure.

By the time I leave, I have an imprint of that place.

My studio work starts with translating that imprint–an exaltation of the senses–into a visual language. A new journey is about to begin.

The process of distilling emotion into formal elements generates a wave of idea-sketches. Key elements start defining an essence of space. Communicating to the viewer a sense of space is not done by means of expected spacial relationships as much as it is done by means of emotional association and symbolic interconnections.

Creating a Metaphor

The Bird is a symbol of complete freedom, that enables me to rise above the existential condition of having been born and raised in one part of the world and living an ocean away from it. Travelling makes it possible to detach myself from being physically or emotionally tied down to any one place. It is a way of freeing the soul. It is a way of not living your life part by fate, part by choice, but rather being ALIVE by gaining vision through expanded knowledge and newly unfolded possibilities.

The metaphorical relationship between The Bird and elements of a place determine the composition. In turn, compositional arrangements indicate a trajectory for the viewer’s eye to follow. That trajectory will engage the viewer into discovering a rhythmic beat beyond the allusive, the accidental, the perceived.

When my heart pounds with excitement throughout the creative process, it is a reward. If I ignite an emotion into someone else’s heart, it is a revelation! A new connection is about to emerge.

Collections

Since 1988 to present, discerning art collectors have acquired one-of-a-kind artworks by Celina Grigore. The artist's large-scale hand-woven tapestries, oil and acrylic paintings, works on paper, commissioned illustrations can be found in private collections in: United States, Canada, Japan, Israel, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Romania, etc.

Commissions

Completed numerous hand-woven tapestry commissions for private collectors in the USA.

Solo and Small Group Exhibitions

2006 - Nov - Dec - "From Pictorial to Abstract"
an exhibition of handwoven tapestry by two generations of artists,
Celina Grigore and Lucia Grigore - Rose Gallery, Arvada (Denver Metro), CO, USA

2004 - April - June - "A Generation Apart: Mothers + Daughters + Art"
San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles - San Jose, California, USA

2001 - Jan - Feb - "Spotlight on Tapestry"
an exhibition of tapestry by two generations of Romanian artists,
Celina Grigore and Lucia Grigore - Bayeux Gallery, Denver, CO, USA

1998 - July - August - Three-Person Exhibition - Tapestry
Arts Gallery - National Military Center - Bucharest, Romania

1995 - December - Solo Exhibition - Tapestry & Ink Drawing
Orizont Art Gallery - Bucharest, Romania

Gallery Representation

Rose Gallery - Arvada (Denver Metro), CO, USA (2006 - 2008)

Denver Design Center, Allure Showroom - Denver, CO, USA (2004 - 2006)

Bayeux Gallery - Denver, CO, USA (2000 - 2001)

Juried, Invitational and Group Exhibitions (Selected)

2010 - July - Aug - "Merge" - Center for the Visual Arts - Denver, CO, USA

 

2010 - March - "Figure Studies and Body Art" - Reed Photo-Art Gallery - Denver, CO, USA

 

2009 - Artwork selected to be part of the Zeitgeitst ’09 International Art Show. 
Featured on screens at the Bang & Olufsen Showrooms in 
New York, Frankfurt and Istanbul simultaneously.

 

2008 - Art Exhibition in conjuction with the "Romanian Spirituality Congress" - 12th Edition - Alba Iulia, RO

 

2006 - "Mostra di Libro e d'Arte" - Salotto delle Esposizioni dell'Accademia di Romania - Rome, Italy

 

2006 - "Ion Andreescu" Art Biennial - 5th Edition - Buzau Art Galleries - Buzau, RO

 

2005 - Art Exhibition in conjuction with the "Romanian Spirituality Congress" - 9th Edition - Alba Iulia, RO

 

2001 - Fort Smith "Art Quest" - Fort Smith Convention Center - AR, USA

 

2001 - "Fantastic Fibers" - The Thirteenth Invitational National Fibers Exhibit - Yeiser Art Center - Paducah, KY, USA

 

2000 - "Out of Time" - San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles - San Jose, CA, USA

 

2000 - "Craft Forms 2000" - Wayne Art Center - Wayne, PA, USA

 

2000 - "American Tapestry Biennial III" - (International)
Northern Kentucky University - KY, USA
Bayeux Gallery - Denver, CO, USA

 

2000 - "Fiber Celebration 2000" - Estes Park Art Center - Estes Park, CO, USA

 

2000 - "Cats & Dragons" - Coos Art Museum - Coos Bay, OR, USA

 

1999 - "Craft Forms '99" - Wayne Art Center - Wayne, PA, USA

 

1999 - "USA Craft Today" '99 Third Juried Biennial - Silvermine Guild Art Center - New Canaan, CT, USA

 

1999 - "Grateful Threads" - The Delaplaine Visual Arts Center - Frederick, MD, USA

 

1999 - "Mountain States Tapestry Invitational Exhibit"
Foothils Fine Arts Center - Golden, CO, USA
Western Colorado Center for the Arts - Grand Junction, CO, USA

 

1998 - "Fantastic Fibers" - The Eleventh Invitational National Fibers Exhibit - Yeiser Art Center - Paducah & Louisville, KY, USA

 

1998 - "Muse of the Millennium" - Emerging Trends in Fiber Art - Nordic Heritage Museum - Seattle, WA, USA

 

1997 - "Craft Forms" '97 - Wayne Art Center - Wayne, PA, USA

 

1997 - "The 2nd Triennial of Tapestry" - TNB Galleries - Bucharest, RO

 

1997 - "Fiber Celebrated" '97 - The Eight Biennial Exhibit Lincoln Center - Fort Collins, CO, USA

 

1997 - "Paper/Fiber XX" - Arts Iowa City Center - IA, USA

 

1997 - "Vision/Revision: Fiber in Transition" - Loveland Museum Gallery - Loveland, CO, USA

 

1996 - 1997 - "American Tapestry Biennial I" - (International)
Oak Ridge Museum of Fine Arts - Oak Ridge, TN, USA
Southern Illinois University Museum - Carbondale, IL, USA
Wellington B. Gray Gallery - Greenville, NC, USA
The Foothills Art Center - Golden, CO, USA

 

1996 - "Art Zone" - The 33rd Edition - JCC - Denver, CO, USA

 

1996 - "HGB Annual Show" - Chautauqua House - Boulder, CO, USA

 

1996 - "Group 5+1" - Orizont Art Gallery - Bucharest, RO

 

1995 - "Romanian Art" - Denver Arts Complex - Denver, CO, USA

 

1995 - "Tapestries by Romanian Artists" - Boettcher Hall - Denver Arts Complex - Denver, CO, USA

 

1995 - "Tapestries by Romanian Artists" - Buell Theater - Denver Arts Complex - Denver, CO, USA

 

1995 - "UNESCO Days" - Suceava Art Museum - Suceava, RO

 

1995 - "Annual National Graphic Exhibition" - TNB Galleries - Bucharest, RO

 

1995 - "Textil '95" - National Art Museum - Bucharest, RO

 

1995 - "Annual Salon of Textiles" - Galla Gallery - Bucharest, RO

 

1994 - "Annual Exhibition of Painting, Sculpture and Decorative Arts" - TNB Galleries - Bucharest, RO

 

1994 - "The 1st Triennial of Tapestry" - House of Parliament Galleries - Bucharest, RO

 

1993 - "Art Zone" - The 32nd Edition - JCC - Denver, CO, USA

 

1993 - "Annual Young Artists' Exhibition" - TNB Galleries - Bucharest, RO

 

1993 - "Group 5+1" - Simeza Art Gallery - Bucharest, RO

 

1992 - "The Annual Young Artists' Show" - TNB Galleries - Bucharest, RO

 

1992 - "Collona Holding Art Gallery" - Bucharest, RO

 

1991 - "Carrefour International des Metiers d'Art" - Le Touquet, France

 

1991 - "Collona Holding Art Gallery" - Bucharest, RO

 

1990 - "The Annual Young Artists' Show" - TNB Galleries - Bucharest, RO

 

1990 - "Voronetiana National Show" - Suceava Art Museum - Suceava, RO

 

1990, 1989 - "Annual International Exhibition of Miniature Art" - Dell Bello Gallery - Toronto, Canada

 

1989 - "The Annual Young Artists' Show" - Dalles Galleries - Bucharest, RO

 

1989 - "Young Artists' Group Show" - "Ion Mincu" School of Architecture Galleries - Bucharest, RO

 

1989 - "National Students' Art Show" - Petrosani, RO

 

1989 - Residency - Painting - Lazarea, RO

 

1988 - Group Show (Residency - Painting) - The Art Gallery - Focsani, RO

 

1987 - Group Show (Residency - Painting) - The Art Center - Slobozia, RO

 

Awards and Recognition

 

ArtSlant Showcase Winner - Sept 2009, Nov 2009 & First Showcase 2010

 

Honorable Mention and Panel of Jurors’ Nominee - Zeitgeist ’09, International Juried Art Competition - 2009

 

"1st Prize" - "Cats & Dragons" - Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, OR, USA - 2000

 

"HGB Award" - "Fiber Celebrated 2000" - Estes Park, CO, USA - 2000

 

"Craft Award" - "Craft Forms '99" - Wayne Art Center - Wayne, PA, USA - 1999

 

"Best of 2D Non-Functional Category" - "Fiber Celebrated '97" - The Eight Biennial Exhibition - Fort-Collins, CO, USA - 1997

 

"Juror's Award" - "Vision/Revision: Fiber in Transition" - Loveland Museum/Gallery - Loveland, CO, USA - 1996

 

"Best of Show" - "Art Zone" - The 32nd Edition
An Eight-State Juried Show - 250 works out of 1200 entries were displayed in 11 categories - JCC, Denver, CO, USA - 1993

 

"3rd Prize" - National Art Show - Romania - 1989

 

"Gold Award" for Illustration - ADCD Annual Student Show (Statewide) - Denver, CO, USA - 1998

 

"Judge's Choice Award" for Illustration - ADCD Annual Student Show (Statewide) - Denver, CO, USA - 1998

 

2 x "Silver Award" for Computer Imaging - ADCD Annual Student Show (Statewide) - Denver, CO, USA - 1998

 

Academic Awards

 

1998 - Art Achievement Award - Metropolitan State College of Denver - USA

 

1991 - 1992 - Romanian National Grant of Merit - Romania

 

Education

 

1996 - 1998 - BFA - Metropolitan State College of Denver, USA - Communication Design

 

1996 - University of Colorado at Boulder, USA - Graduate Painting

 

1986 - 1992 - BFA, MFA - National University of Art - Bucharest, Romania - Tapestry Design

 

Press Coverage. Reviews. Publications (Selected)

 

"Colectia de Arta Contemporana Marieta si Chiriac Bucur" ("The Collection of Romanian Contemporary Art Marieta and Chiriac Bucur", art album documenting the exquisite collection of Romanian contemporary art donated to the "Buzau Art Museum") - p. 93-95 - Buzau, Romania - 2007

 

"Romanian Artists on Display" by Harriet Rose - "YourHub", in-print weekly publication of the "Denver Post"- 2-Person Exhibition Review (Editor's Pick) - Arvada (Denver Metro), CO, USA - 11/09/2006

 

"Weaving New Rhythms" - Featured artwork - Rubicon Publishing - University of Toronto Press - Toronto, Canada - 2003

 

"Personalitati Romane si Faptele Lor 1950-2000" - ("Romanian Personalities and Their Accomplishments 1950-2000") by Constantin Toni Dartu - encyclopedia, volume 7, p. 170-172 - Venus Publishing House - 2003

 

"Westword", Denver, CO - "Artbeat" featuring "Spotlight on Tapestry" by Michael Paglia - Exhibition review at "Bayeux Gallery" - Denver, CO, USA - 01/25/2001

 

"Enciclopedia Artistilor Romani Contemporani ("Encyclopedia of Contemporary Romanian Artists") - volume 4, p. 77 - Arc Publishing House - 2000

 

Prime-time news cast on Romanian National TV - Exhibition Review - Producer: Mihaela Craciun - 07/28/1998

 

"Radio Romania Cultural" program on Romanian National Radio - "Cultural Temptations" - Exhibition Review - Producer: Paul Dudea - 08/8/1998

 

"Crai Nou" - "Ca Apa si Cerul" ("Like the Water and the Sky") by Doina Cernica - Book Review - "Fantezii" ("Fantasies") - poetry book by Lucia Grigore, illustrations by Celina Grigore - 11/2003

 

"Dreptatea" - "O Noua Dinastie de Artisti Plastici" ("A New Dynasty of Fine Artists") by M. Augustin - Exhibition Review - 08/12/1998

 

"Adevarul" - "Trio Grigore" by Cornel Radu Constantinescu - Exhibition Review - 07/29/1998

 

"Adevarul" - "Un Debut Notabil: Celina Grigore" ("A Notable Debut: Celina Grigore") by Cornel Radu Constantinescu - Exhibition Review - 01/9/1996

 

"Curierul National" - "Increderea in Statornicie" ("The Confidence in Steadiness") by Veronica Marinescu - Exhibition Review - 07/30/1998

 

"Dreptatea" - "Solemna Cadenta a Tinerilor Artisti" ("The Solemn Cadence of the Young Artists") by M. Augustin - Exhibition Review - 01/1996

 

"Cotidianul" - "Sintaxa Plastica a Scoartelor Taranesti" by Adrian-Silvan Ionescu - Exhibition Review - 12/19/1995

 

"Bucovina Literara" - Published Drawings by Celina Grigore - Various numbers

 

Prime-time news cast on Romanian National TV - Exhibition Review - 12/15/1995

 

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