Andrei Ciurdarescu

Andrei Ciurdarescu is a Professor in the Department of Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca, a position he has held since 2015. He is a prominent contemporary artist with extensive national and international exhibition experience, contributing significantly to the Cluj School of Painting movement.

His academic credentials include a PhD in Visual Arts (2014), Master's degree in Painting (2009), and Bachelor's degree in Painting (2007), all from the University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca, plus a Baccalaureate from Sigismund Toduta High School of Art and Music, Deva (2003).

Ciurdarescu's artistic research explores contemporary painting through utopian themes, identity politics, and societal structures. His work critically engages with historical narratives, as evidenced in exhibitions like "ICONS OF UTOPIA" (2019) and "Four Points of Enclosure" (2018), while maintaining strong connections to Romanian sociopolitical contexts. His practice demonstrates mastery of both traditional painting techniques and conceptual frameworks.

His accolades include a mention in the Henkel CEE Prize for Art (2009), the Vasile Pârvan Fellowship at the Romanian Academy in Rome (2014-2015), and an ERASMUS Scholarship for study in Spain (2005).

Ciurdarescu actively contributes to the art ecosystem as a curator and coordinator, having organized "Spazi Aperti 2015" at the Romanian Academy in Rome (2015) and directed Visual Kontakt Gallery across Romania and Germany (2010-2012). His artistic residencies in Madrid (2014) and Cluj-Napoca (2013-2014) have fostered cross-cultural dialogues that enrich his pedagogical approach.