Bogdan Mihai Radu (b. 1979, Sibiu) is a Romanian painter known for his abstract landscapes, depiction of flowers and deeply colourful, textured paintings. He spent his childhood in the iris-filled fields of Transylvania, Romania where he first discovered his passion for art.
The artist had his first solo exhibition in 2002. Entitled Past Shrouded in Shadow and Colour, it was held at Casa Illeet Vilaine in Sibiu. The show was well received amongst Sibiu’s art community. In 2003, Radu was invited to became a member of the Union of Fine Artists in Sibiu. This paved the way for his participation in a group exhibition at Atelier 35 Gallery and for a solo exhibition entitled Reflections at Atelier 202 in Apoldu de Sus.
Radu went on to have a number of notable solo exhibitions: Flavours of Sibiu at the Casa Luxembourg (2004). Plunged into Colour at the Cisnădie City Hall in 2004, and Contrast and Colour in 2005. The same year, Radu was named one of the ‘Young Talent’ winners in a contest organised by the Art e Arte Foundation. Radu exhibited throughout Romania during this period. Selected shows include: Ion Dacian at the National Theatre of Operetta in Bucharest in 2005, Angels and Saints at the Comedy Theatre in Bucharest in 2006, and The Queen Mary’s Heart at the Charles I Central University Library in Bucharest in 2006.
Most of us have a weakness, for somebody or something. Queen Marie of Romania is a weakness to stay for the Romanian born and London based Bogdan Mihai Radu. Five years from his first exhibition prompted by the centennial of the Romanian Royal House, Bogdan goes back to Queen Marie for inspiration. Today is the 146th anniversary of Queen Marie of Romania’s birth and a new exhibition inspired by her life is being launched near Bucharest, in one of Romania’s old palaces.
Who was Queen Marie?
Queen Marie of Romania was one of Queen Victoria’s granddaughters. Her father was Alfred Ernest Albert, The Duke of Edinburgh, and her mother was Maria Alexandrovna Romanova, the only daughter of Russia’s Tsar Alexander II. Queen Marie of Romania was born in England, in Eastwell and spent most of her childhood in Kent. She arrived in Romania at the age of 17 to marry Romania’s heir to the throne, Prince Ferdinand.
What is truly fascinating for us, as Romanians, is the way Queen Marie embraced her new life and destiny. Romania became her land; our culture and traditions became hers. She served Romania with utmost dedication and played a crucial role in our modern history. During communism, Queen Marie was the target of a denigration campaign. However, after the collapse of communism, her immense contribution to public life has been restored and she became an inspiration for many of the young generation. That’s how I started to love her.
What was the seed of this love?
I think I fell in love with Queen Marie at Balcic, this is a formal royal residence which she herself loved very much about a century ago. There is something magnificent about the space, the palace, the gardens – they all still seem to be shaped by Queen Marie’s personality. To me they are endlessly beautiful. There is also nostalgia for the old times, when we had a monarchy and elegant, inspiring royal locations. It’s not the opulence but the symbolism and the inspiration.
Prince Charles has a great interest and affection for Transylvania, and Romania in general. At first it was a little intriguing but I wanted to explore deep the connections between my adoptive country and the country of my birth.
Carla Becker – journalist London Daily Post