ROMUL NUTIU
The Island II, 2011, oil on canvas, 114×161 cm
Click Below To See Additional Works By Romul Nutiu
BIOGRAPHY
Romul Nutiu (Bilbor, 1932 – Timișoara, 2012) was a prominent Romanian artist.
From 1951 to 1957, he studied at the Art Institute, ‘Ion Andreescu’ in Cluj. In 1958, he participated in the master’s class of Prof. Alexandru Ciucurencu at the Art Institute in Bucharest. Nutiu remained in Timisoara from 1958 until the end of his life, teaching at the Art Institute.
Romul Nutiu is recognized as the primary exponent of abstract expressionism in Romania. His distinct conceptual vision allowed him to adeptly manipulate form and movement, culminating in an informal artistic realm. Despite maintaining this structure, he consistently embraced the freedom of improvisation in his creations. This skill to achieve a unique equilibrium, coupled with his audacious approach to color, constitutes a key factor influencing the perception of his art.
His inclination towards experimental play extended beyond traditional canvases, giving rise to installations that resemble spatial paintings. He also aimed to integrate objects into the planes of his paintings. His body of work is characterized by an unceasing dialogue between the tangible and intangible, yet the artist consistently found harmonious resolutions to this artistic challenge. During the late 60s, Nutiu pioneered a novel technique that he later termed the “aquatic experience.” This method involves utilizing shallow containers with an immiscible blend of water and industrial car paint. By interacting with a bar akin to an action painting, the artist influences the formation of these pigments. He then positioned the canvas on the water surface, allowing the paint composition to be absorbed. In certain instances, Nutiu finalized the pieces with additional brushstrokes and obliteration.
This pioneering form of abstract expressionism, reminiscent of action painting, is exemplified in his “Dynamic Universe” series. During the exhibition bearing the same title at the Helios Gallery in Timisoara in 1975, the renowned art critic Coriolan Babeti acclaimed Nutiu as the “Pollock of the Romanian west coast.”
WORKS IN ART COLLECTIONS
Brukenthal National Museum, Sibiu
National Museum of Contemporary Art, Bucharest
Art Museum of Banat, Timisoara
Pollock – Krasner House and Study Center, East Hampton
Art in Embassies Collection, U.S. Department of State
Private collections in USA, Germany, France and Italy
WORKS IN PUBLIC SPACES
“Science, Literature and Art” | The University of Timisoara, pigmented cements, 330×960 cm, 1973
“Mapamond” | Traian Vuia International Airport of Timisoara, al secco technique, 1986
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abstract Expressionism Behind the Iron Curtain | Pollock – Krasner House and Study Center, Helen Harrison, Charlotta Kotik, Philip Rylands, August 2017
Catalogue ‘Art in Embassies Exhibition’, United States Embassy, Bucharest | Art in Embassies, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C., 2016
Life and Work Romul Nutiu | Museum of Art Timisoara, Liviana Dan, Joana Grevers, October 2012
Furioso! | 418 Contemporary Art Gallery, Liviana Dan, Alexandra Titu, November 2011
Entropy of the Experiment | Brukenthal National Museum Sibiu, Liviana Dan, Ruxandra Demetrescu, February 2011
The New Pollock of the Romanian Painting | Atelierul de Arta Timisoara, Coriolan Babeti, Triade Brumar, 2009
Elan Vital | 418 Contemporary Art Gallery, Joana Grevers, December 2008
Z3 Sectiuni | Dan Grigorescu, Constantin Prut, Alexandra Titu, Senso Gallery, Bucuresti, 2005
Romul Nutiu | Alexandra Titu, Constantin Prut, Brumar, 2004
Traditie si postmodernitate | Album, Directia pentru Cultura, Culte si Patrimoniu National, Timis, 2004
Dictionar de arta moderna si contemporana | Constantin Prut, Editura Univers enciclopedic, Bucuresti, 2002
Romul Nutiu cromatica si semnificare | Ion Iovan, Editura Augusta, Timisoara, 2002
Enciclopedia artistilor romani contemporani | Alexandru Cebuc, Vasile Florea, Negoita Laptoiu, vol.1, Editura Art, Bucuresti, 2000
Experiment in arta romaneasca | CSAC, SCCA, Centrul SOROS pentru arta contemporana, 1999
Werte Aller Zeiten | Annemarie Podlipny-Hehn, Editura Kriterion, 1995
Orient Occident | Catalog Ileana Pintilie, 1994
Mostra Mercato di Pittura, scultura, grafica | Vicenza Arte, 1993
Plasticieni timisoreni | Negoita Laptoiu, Editura Artemis, Bucuresti, 1992
Idee si sensibilitate | Dan Grigorescu, Editura Meridiane, Bucuresti, 1991
111 pictori romani contemporani | Catalog UAP, Bucuresti, 1989
Dincolo de aparente | Catalog de expozitie, Alexandra Titu, 1987
Contemporary Romanian Painting and Sculpture | The Mall Galleries, London, 1986
Rumaenische Rundschau | Constantin Prut, nr. 8, 1986
Sectiuni prin pamant fertil | Catalog expozitie, Dan Grigorescu, 1985
Arta Romaneasca | Vasile Dragut, Vasile Florea, Vol 1-2, Editura Meridiane, 1982
IV Medzinarodne | Bienale Malby, Kosice 1978
Catalogue Fundacio Juan Miro | Centre d’Estudis d’Art Contemporani, Barcelona 1978
Dictionarul artistilor romani contemporani | Octavian Barbosa, Editura Meridiane, Bucuresti 1977
Afirmari | Mircea Deac, Editura Facla, Timisoara 1976
Pictura contemporana | Ion Frunzetti, Editura Meridiane, Bucuresti 1975
Univers dinamic | Catalog de expozitie, Coriolan Babeti, 1975
SELECTED ARTICLES
Romul Nutiu by Antonella Grevers | ArtHotShot.com, 2020
Coming in from the Cold: Eastern European AbEx | The Art Newspaper, Richard Unwin, January 2018
Abstract Expressionism Behind the Iron Curtain | The East Hampton Star, Jennifer Landes, October 2017
Abstract Expressionism Behind the Iron Curtain | Brooklyn Rail, Joyce Beckenstein, September 2017
Muzica formelor si culorilor | Cotidianul, July 2014
Eine leidenschaftliche Visionarin in der rumanischen Kunstwelt | Allgemeine Deutsche Zeitung, Aida Ivan, July 2014
Despre abstractionismul romanesc | Cotidianul Victoria Anghelescu, July 2013
Joana Grevers, Pygmalion de l`art contemporain roumain | Regard, Beatrice Aguettant, March 2013
Living Through Art | The Art of Living, Mariela Vanu, Winter 2012
Romul Nutiu in tandra sa asezare la Muzeul de Arta | Orizont, Marcel Tolcea, Iuly 2012
In memoriam: Despartirea de Romul Nutiu | Orizont, Ileana Pintilie, April 2012
Die Perlentaucherin in der Rumanischen Kunstszene | Allgemeine Deutsche Zeitung, Lucia Schopfer, 2012
Romul Nutiu, Cromatica exploziva a legendelor | Caminul, Mariela Vanu, March 2012
Exhibition Romul Nutiu at 418 Gallery | Igloo, January 2012
418 Contemporary Art Gallery at Art Toronto | Modernism, Cosmin Nasui, October 2011
Joana Grevers, ambassador for Romanian culture | SkyLady by Tarom, Mariela Vanu, Summer 2011
Cetate Exhibition, Workshop at the Danube III | Igloo, May 2011
In cautarea urmatorului artist pentru Guggenheim | Romania Libera, Manuela Golea, April 2011
Cetate, Workshop at the Danube III | Modernism, Cosmin Nasui, April 2011
Romul Nutiu, Painting for thinking at Brukenthal Museum | Modernism, Cosmin Nasui, February 2011
Die Kunstliebhaberin | Munchener Merkur, Barbara Nazarewska, August 2009
Romul Nutiu, Elan Vital | Caminul, Mariela Vanu, Mai 2009
Viata ca un copac albastru | Ziarul Financiar, Corneliu Antim, December 2008
Romul Nutiu | Arta, Coriolan Babeti, nr. 11, 1988
Iesirea in lume | Orizont, Ion Frunzetti, nr. 12-15, April, 1985
Ateliere Timisorene | Arta nr. 7-8, Vasile Dragut, 1982
Tribuna | Mircea Toca, Revista nr 10/04.03, 1976
EXHIBITIONS
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023
Jocul cu hazardul: Romul NUȚIU. O retrospectivă | Playing hazard: Romul NUȚIU. A retrospective
Timișoara Museum of Art
2022
Romul Nuțiu | Dynamic Universe
Barbu Druga Estate, Cetate
2020
Dynamic Universe Revisited
418GALLERY, Munich
2015
Romul Nutiu ( 1932-2012) – Selected Works
418GALLERY, Bucharest
2012
Romul Nutiu. Life & Work
Timisoara Art Museum, Timisoara
2011
Furioso!
418GALLERY, Bucharest
Painting for thinking
Brukenthal National Museum, Sibiu
Contemporary Art Gallery
2010
Piramid memory (Elan Vital II)
Calina Gallery, Timisoara
2008 – 2009
Elan Vital
418GALLERY, Bucharest
2005
No Limits
Senso Gallery, Bucharest
2004
Utopia
Helios Art Gallery, Timisoara
1997
Signs, senses
Dure Gallery, Timisoara
1996
Abstraction
Sparkasse Karlsruhe, Germany
1993
Beyond Appearances
Helios Art Gallery, Timisoara
1988
Section through fertile soil
Helios Art Gallery, Timisoara
1976
Two Decades
Gallery of the Romanian Artists Union, Cluj-Napoca
1975
Dynamic Universe
Helios Art Gallery, Timisoara
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023
Wintermärchen
418GALLERY, Munich
2022
Other Worlds on Paper
418GALLERY, Munich
2021
Worlds on Paper | Munich Viewing Room
418GALLERY, Munich
2018
Abstract Expressionism Behind the Iron Curtain
Andrej Jemec, Tadeusz Kantor, Jan Kotik, Edo Murtic &Romul Nutiu
Steinberg Museum of Art, Long Island University, NY, USA
2017
Eastern European Abstractionism
Andrej Jemec, Edo Murtic &Romul Nutiu, 418GALLERY, Munich
Abstract Expressionism Behind the Iron Curtain
Andrej Jemec, Tadeusz Kantor, Jan Kotik, Edo Murtic &Romul Nutiu
Pollock – Krasner House and Study Center, East Hampton, USA
2015
Appearance and Essence
in Timisoara Art Encounters (curated by Rainald Schumacher and Nathalie Hoyos), Halele Timco, Timisoara
2014
Structure & Energy II – The Power of Abstraction
Vincentiu Grigorescu, Romul Nutiu, Diet Sayler 418 Gallery, Bucharest
2013
Structure & Energy. A Need for Abstraction
418GALLERY, Bucharest
Retrospective. Cetate – Workshop at the Danube 2008-2013
Barbu Druga Estate, Cetate
2012
Cetate – Workshop at the Danube IV
418GALLERY, Bucharest
2011
Cetate – Workshop at the Danube III
418GALLERY, Bucharest
2010
International Exhibition of Visual Art Totem,
Targu-Mures, Iasi
Focus Europa, 6. International Contemporary Art
Plassenburg Castle, Germany
2009
Cetate – Workshop at the Danube I and II
418GALLERY, Bucharest
Musicality in Art
418GALLERY, Bucharest
2008
XII Tabtakepfesteszeti Biennial
Szeged, Hungary
Calina Gallery, Timisoara
2007
Biennial of Painting, Sculpture and Graphics
Arad
2006
European Openings
Art exhibition, Timisoara
2005
Yehudi Menuhim Hall, European Parliament, Brussels
2003
Romanian Cultural Centre, Budapest
1999 show more 1996 1995 1993 1991 1990 1987 1986 1985 1980 Epoca Gallery, Lucerne, Switzerland 1979 1978 1977 1974 1969-1970 1964-1965 1959 1957 show less
Romanian Cultural Centre, Budapest
1998
Romanian Cultural Centre, Vienna
Key Gallery, Springfield, USA
Profan Gallery, Elst, Holland
The Experiment in Romania
The National Theatre Galleries, Bucharest
Europehouse Gallery, Berlin, Germany
Kalvaria Gallery, Szeged, Hungary
Central Credit Bank, Saarbrücken
Creation and European Synchronism
Art Museum of Banat, Timisoara
Gruga Park Gallery, Essen
Romanian art exhibition, Glasgow
Brusque Art Biennial, Brazil
Romanian art exhibition, London
International Fair of Culture, Art, Journalism
XI edition, Beogradski Sajam, Yugoslavia
Romanian art exhibition
Stuttgart, Germany; Moscow, U.S.S.R.
The exhibition of the International Camp Pleiner
Rudolstadt, Germany
Barsinghaus Nieteuscheid, Germany
Delmenhorst and Gera, Germany
Sylt List, Germany
Thalwill, Switzerland
International Biennial of Art
Kosice, Jugoslavia
International Contest JUAN MIRO
Barcelona, Spain
49 Gallery
Thalwill, Switzerland
850th anniversary of the town of Graz, Austria
Romanian Painting exhibition
Hofgeismar, Germany
26 Artists from Timisoara
Novi Sad and Belgrade, Yugoslavia
Annual Salon of Graphic Arts,
Bucharest, Romania
National Biennial of Art
Bucharest, Romania
Annual Fine Arts Salon
Timisoara, Romaina