As part of their Summer Spotlights series, Adrian Sutton Gallery is delighted to introduce the work of two Romanian figurative painters: Anca Branzas and Ioana Iacob. Both artists explore the complexity of human experience, delving into themes of identity, vulnerability, and emotional depth.
Rooted in the rich tapestry of Romanian folklore and everyday life, Anca Branzas' work is deeply personal and sensorial. She approaches each new piece as an intimate journey. Her practice is shaped by a fascination with myth, memory, and the silent power of symbolism. Currently, she is exploring a series titled Woman-Mermaid, inspired by a wooden sculpture encountered in an antique shop in northern France and informed by the proximity of the sea of the South of France, where Branzas is currently based. At the heart of this series lies the story of Andersen’s Little Mermaid, whose sacrifice of her voice—a metaphor for the loss of agency and self-expression—resonates with the artist’s reflections on identity and belonging.
Humor—often dark, subtle, or ironic—threads through Anca Branzas' visual language, acting as both shield and scalpel. This is especially evident in works inspired by the Merry Cemetery in Săpânța, Romania, where death is approached with wit and levity rather than fear. Her paintings echo this tone, offering viewers a space to confront existential themes without succumbing to their weight. By fusing folklore with contemporary reflection, she creates works that are both timeless and grounded, inviting the viewer into a world where myth and modernity intertwine, and where quiet symbols speak loudly of resilience, femininity, and transformation.
Ioana Iacob’s artwork quietly delves into the private and intimate moments of everyday life, offering a voyeuristic glimpse into the human condition. Her subjects remain unaware of the viewer’s gaze. This choice to focus on mundane or seemingly banal scenes is an act of bravery, as Iacob’s paintings gradually reveal deeper layers beneath their surface, uncovering the complexities of inner lives and emotions.
Iacob's work is a poignant commentary on the modern experience, reflecting the disconnection of contemporary life. Through her intimate portrayals, the artist exposes themes of loneliness, the superficiality of virtual interactions, and the erosion of genuine human connection in an increasingly digital world. Yet, despite her sharp observations, Iacob’s art remains infused with a sense of beauty, often softened by a nostalgic warmth that allows for a more tender reflection on the human experience.
About the Artists
Anca Branzas (b.1986) is a Romanian painter based in the South of France. She graduated with a PhD from the University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca in 2015 and has been working as an Art teacher at the International Alpine School Préfleuri in Switzerland since 2022. The artist has been exhibiting her work since 2010 with solo exhibitions in Paris (Galerie 89, 2023), Cluj (Sabot Gallery, 2017) and recent group shows in France (Baz'Art, Gisors), Romania (Biju Gallery, Cluj ; Braunstein Palace, Iasi) and Switzerland (La Fabrik de Monthey). Branzas is currently presenting an exhibition at Paltim in collaboration with Jezca Gallery as part of the collateral programme of the Romanian Art Encounters Biennial.
Ioana Iacob (b.1987) is a Romanian painter based in Cluj. She graduated with a PhD from the University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca in 2019. The artist has been exhibiting in Europe since 2008 with solo shows in Cluj (Matca Art Space, 2017), Gent (Mie Lefever Gallery, 2013) and with recent group shows in Bulgaria (Heerz Tooya, Veliko Turnovo), Romania (Biju Gallery, Art Museum Cluj Napoca, Matca Art Space) and Germany (Galerie Martin Kudlek, Cologne). Her work is part of the Rubell Museum collection (US). The artist will be presending a solo exhibition at The Cluj Art Museum this November.