Marius Bercea

Marius Bercea is a Romanian visual artist renowned for his figurative paintings that capture scenes of post-communist Romania in an early-capitalist state. 

Biography of Marius Bercea

Marius Bercea, born in 1979 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, holds a significant position within the Cluj contemporary art scene. He has emerged as a leading figure in Romanian painting, particularly during the notable resurgence it experienced in the early 2000s. Alongside renowned artists such as Adrian Ghenie, Mircea Suciu, Serban Savu, and Victor Man, Bercea stands as one of the key representatives of the widely recognized Cluj School of Painting.

The artist completed his studies at the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca, earning his MA in 2005. Currently, he is residing and working in Cluj, Romania.

Bercea has exhibited his work globally and is represented by prestigious galleries like Blain Southern and François Ghebaly. His art has been featured in group exhibitions at renowned institutions worldwide, showcasing his talent and unique perspective. Furthermore, Bercea's works are held in esteemed private and public collections, including the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia, US; the ARKEN Museum of Modern Art in Ishøj, Denmark; the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art (HVCCA) in Peekskill, US; the Kistefos-Museet collection in Jevnaker, Norway; the Zabludowicz Collection in the United Kingdom; the Olbricht Collection in Berlin, Germany, and the Space K Museum in Seoul, South Korea. Additionally, Bercea participated in the 17th Art Biennial of Pancevo in Serbia in 2016, following his involvement in the 2015 Timisoara Art Encounters Biennial in Timisoara, Romania.

Marius Bercea's Art Style

Bercea paints from memory and photographic references, depicting Romania's transitional period between communism and capitalism. His art is known for its vivid and bold use of color, evoking a sense of exoticism akin to David Hockney's paintings of Los Angeles life by the pool and palm trees. In his paintings, one often finds figures at leisure or engaged in collective activities against dynamic and occasionally dramatic backgrounds.

Throughout Bercea's body of work, recurring motifs include metal fences, plants, poolside scenes, and varied color patterns found in clothing, curtains, and plastic chairs. His painterly skill is complemented by wit and humor, as his paintings captivate the eye while also stimulating the mind through clever commentary, subtle details, and implicit humor.