Blue Tree 2002

Romul Nutiu’s canvas presents us with a tree, rendered in vibrant blues and punctuated by startling reds, which invites us to ponder the symbolic weight it carries. The tree—a motif as old as art itself—reaches back to the roots of human consciousness. Consider the ‘tree of life’ from ancient mythologies, often standing as a symbol of wisdom, growth, and the interconnectedness of all things. Nutiu’s blue tree, however, is not conventionally verdant; its color imbues it with a sense of the surreal, and perhaps even of melancholy. The stark red accents disrupt this tranquility. The tree's branches, like veins, spread across the canvas, echoing the nervous system. It’s the ancient symbol that resurfaces, transformed and renewed, engaging our emotions on a subconscious level. It reminds us that symbols are not static; they evolve. They are vessels of cultural memory, always in flux, always speaking to us anew.