ROMUL NUTIU

romul-nutiu-island-ii

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 Ruma
nischen 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
Romanian Cultural Centre, Budapest

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1998
Romanian Cultural Centre, Vienna

Key Gallery, Springfield, USA

Profan Gallery, Elst, Holland

1996
The Experiment in Romania
The National ­Theatre Galleries, Bucharest

1995
Europehouse Gallery, Berlin, Germany

1993
Kalvaria Gallery, Szeged, Hungary

1991
Central Credit Bank, Saarbrücken

Creation and European Synchronism
Art Museum of Banat, Timisoara

1990
Gruga Park Gallery, Essen

1987
Romanian art exhibition, Glasgow

Brusque Art Biennial, Brazil

1986
Romanian art exhibition, London

1985
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

1980
Barsinghaus Nieteuscheid, Germany

Epoca ­Gallery, Lucerne, Switzerland

Delmenhorst and Gera, Germany

1979
Sylt List, Germany
Thalwill, Switzerland

1978
International Biennial of Art
Kosice, Jugoslavia

International Contest JUAN MIRO
Barcelona, Spain

49 Gallery
Thalwill, Switzerland

1977
850th anniversary of the town of Graz, Austria

1974
Romanian Painting exhibition
Hofgeismar, Germany

1969-1970
26 Artists from Timisoara
Novi Sad and Belgrade, Yugoslavia

1964-1965
Annual Salon of Graphic Arts,
Bucharest, Romania

1959
National Biennial of Art
Bucharest, Romania

1957
Annual Fine Arts Salon
Timisoara, Romaina

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