Interview with Lacra Grozavescu : a Bucharest-based artist

How is your personality reflected in your work ?

Intentionally or not, most of my works are a reflection of myself in one way or another. I tend to use a lot of solitary characters in my Art, with a great emphasis on blue and other cold colors. It shows that I am an introvert rather than an extrovert, sometimes more present in my mind than in my surroundings. At the same time, I am very attracted to the color yellow which I associate with hope and beginnings. Like the character of Andrei Tarkovski’s movie ‘Nostalghia’, Andrei Gorchakov, there are times when I find it difficult to "to find a balance between reality and the harmony that I envisioned”.

lacra portrait — *‘Self-portrait’, Bucharest, RO, 2020*

How did you start making art?

During high school, I followed some Theatre courses for 2 years. It was a very rewarding experience for me, I learned more about myself and developed new ways of expression. It was then when I decided to buy a camera and start my journey as a photographer.

Which current art world trends are you following?

I really like the fact that urban art has more exposure nowadays bringing new themes and a diversity of colors. I think it’s a good way to spread important messages and connect people around the world. Also, I can say that retro art is coming back to life. Artists combine different mediums, old posters, advertisements mixed with paint under the form of a collage, inhabit a new meaning.

Describe the best piece of art you've created or the one you are the most proud of ?

Recently, I decided to overcome a fear that I was having and started to make a work on a bigger canvas. It was a very interesting process for me because it required a lot of time and patience. The main subject of the painting is anxiety expressed in different forms. I have chosen this subject specifically because I am dealing a lot with anxiety during my daily life. The entire process helped me reflect a lot about this condition and the big impact it can have in our lives. Besides this, I discovered new things about myself that I am more aware about.

With this painting, I would like to encourage people to seek help whenever they are experiencing the harsh effects of anxiety. It’s my way of showing that this subject is very important and cannot be ignored anymore and hidden under the curtain.

*'I Feel as If I Might Be Vanishing', 80×80 cm, acrylics on canvas, 2022*

Which other interests influence your art?

Ever since I was a child, I have been very interested in cinema. It’s a very important source of inspiration that reflects both in my photography and painting. Also since I discovered the sweet taste of travelling, I enjoy getting to discover new cultures and different art styles all around the world.

art Lacra — *‘The Loneliest Man on Earth’, Iceland, 2018*

Do you enjoy collaborating with other artists or do you prefer a lonelier process?

I would say that it really depends on the context. I really enjoy working with some other artists and seeing new ways of expression, it can be a very rewarding experience. But at the same time, I also prefer to be absorbed by my own process and create something that expresses my personal views. Honestly, I wouldn’t be able to work with someone on a project if we are not on the same page, it would be a waste of time for both sides.

Could you describe your dream project ?

In the near future, I really hope I can travel for a while in Southeast Asia and try to document how people live, how the culture is integrated in their daily life and what are the main struggles they are facing. It is a subject of great interest for me and I am doing my best to try and make this dream project come true.

What is your favorite memory as an artist ? (life moment, exhibition, meeting with someone, specific inspiration time, etc…)

During my travels in Europe, I got the chance to meet a lot of artists and happily with some of them I still keep in touch. It’s a great feeling to connect with artists around the world, share feelings, opinions, ideas which in my case has proven to be an abundant source of inspiration. I cherish every moment that at some point in time, it has brought me peace and desire to discover more. Sometimes, memories are all we have.

Are you more inspired by your environment or by your thoughts ?

I try to keep a balance between the external and internal world, but there are times when I am absorbed by my thoughts and memories. Understanding the human mind is one of the subjects that deeply interested me. Some of the subjects that I constantly approach in my art are anxiety regarding life and death, the problem of human existence and the pursuit for a meaning.

Which materials do you like using the most and why ?

Although I like to experiment with different mediums and materials, such as acrylics, watercolor, charcoal, pencils, I notice that I feel more comfortable and flexible while I am using pastels. The colors are vibrant and rich and easy to blend. It gives room to a lot of opportunities and mistakes can be corrected easily. The pigmentation of pastel colors is very unusual and it can easily create a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere.

Lacra art — *'Lost in thoughts', 50×70 cm, pastel on black paper, 2022*

Are there some processes that you look forward to experimenting with ?

I was thinking lately that it would be interesting to try and create some 3D art as well. My idea is to make some characters with specific traits and personalities, but this time I will be using clay as a medium.

How can you say that a piece of art is done ?

I like to associate the art process with cooking. It requires a lot of patience and the ability to distinguish between what is too much or what is too less. You need to find the right combination in order to create a masterpiece. Therefore, I think when you are able to find a balance between all elements that compose a piece of art, you can finally declare that the process is over.

Are there some pieces of art that you created but for some reason you refuse to display them?

There are some works that are very dear to me since they remind me of important moments of my life. Therefore, I prefer to keep them hidden to preserve some of my memories. I think it is my way to try to hang on to them.

Do you take some people’s advice when creating or your work is usually secret until it gets displayed ?

There are times when I really appreciate having an honest opinion about a work that is in progress. I think it can open new possibilities and see your work from another point of view.

What do you enjoy about Bucharest’s art scene ? (or Romanian’s one)

I have observed lately that Bucharest’s art scene is more diverse now and new independent galleries have emerged in the last couple of years. Contemporary art is developing rapidly, with more artists being influenced by Western values. At the same time, there are still people that prefer a more traditional approach in Art. The good thing is that in Bucharest you can find places dedicated to all kinds of Art. There is variety and I am really curious to see how the artistic world will change in the next 10 years.

What is your next step as an artist ? (upcoming projects, specific wishes, etc…)

In the near future, I plan to improve my painting skills and try to include new subjects in my work, maybe put more emphasis on nature. I try to stay curious about my surroundings and observe what is happening around me. Who knows, maybe when you least expect it, inspiration is waiting for you at a corner :)

For following Lacra on her Art Instagram account click here.

Her portfolio Website can be accessed here.