Still Life with Two Pots 

Alexandru Ciucurencu made this still life with two pots using oil paint. The thick impasto application immediately strikes us, making the fruits and vessels not just subjects, but tangible objects in their own right. Look closely at the way Ciucurencu has manipulated the material; each dab and stroke of color builds texture, volume and depth. The visible brushwork, where colors are mixed directly on the canvas, creates a dynamic surface. The artist made very direct, economical choices, engaging with the most basic qualities of his chosen medium. Still life traditions often carry social significance. These are everyday items, yet the careful attention devoted to their depiction elevates them beyond mere utility. Ciucurencu likely wanted us to consider how we interact with our environment, and how we give value to the objects that surround us. Ultimately, the painting is a testament to the transformative potential of artistic labor, as Ciucurencu transmutes ordinary subjects into something enduring and beautiful.