top of page

Statement 

"There is no bottom line in art. A painting is always incomplete, and that very incompleteness fascinates me, driving me to reflect on the perfection and imperfection of the world and of the human soul, God is the Perfection of everything, we are just the imitators."      

                                                                                                                   -    Costel Iarca

Costel Iarca - Artist's Biography

A native of Romania, I studied painting and sculpture at The School of Popular Arts prior to pursuing a degree from The University of Theology. Before coming to the USA, I taught Religion and History to elementary school children. Since 1995, I have been exhibiting in Chicagoland and Soho, New York. From my hard-working middle-class Romanian family, I learned human dignity and persistence. I am driven to create powerful paintings.

Because I believe in the life of the spirit, my art comes from my soul, my inspiration from the world. I use a lot of blue, not only for the sky and sea, but for the soul’s striving towards the infinite. For me, green is hope; red, love; yellow, warmth, light, life—God. Color reflects the soul’s beauty though it is limited by the body. My emotions fuel the squares, curves, and textures of my canvases. The radical energy of my colors reminds me of life and death. Both are our destinies.

 

My use of straight or curved black lines has been central to my art. These lines have morphed into the 3D lines. The 3D lines not only add depth and texture, but these lines both connect and separate. Imaginary or physical, lines limit and lead to something else. Similarly, the line between soul and body is imaginary.

 

I pull my ideas from day-to-day life. Because I experience strong emotions while painting, I express them in strange shapes and vibrant colors. Sometimes I experience anxiety when my dreams seem to vanish into thin air. Yet, the darkness of life cannot kill my spirit. I believe in myself; I believe in my work. I believe in the potential of each new day. Knowing about the difficult lives of other masters drives me to paint with passion. I love the work of those who have gone before me, especially Picasso, Leger, Klee, Van Gogh, Matisse, and Giacometti. Because I constantly attempt not only to integrate but to transcend their learning, I believe my unique signature has evolved in my own work. As creative human beings, we simultaneously incorporate and transcend the past. 

My philosophy of art is mirrored in my paintings: Since no human being is perfect, only God can create perfection. Our world is ever-changing, resulting in new phenomena. All creation is process. The art of the human reflects this evolving process. Thus, there is no “bottom line” in art. A painting is always incomplete; that very incompleteness makes the creation of art fascinating, nudging us to reflect on the imperfections of the world. This compels me to strive for both what has been and is not yet. In creating a painting, I experience myself at the center of an evolving, dynamic universe. I have absolute confidence in my vision, in my drive, and in my art. ART IS HUMAN MAGIC.

    bottom of page