Abstract Artist
ARTIST BIO
Cristina Balan is a Moldova-based abstract artist. Born in 1977, she studied arts from the age of five. Very early on, her works were exhibited at various artistic performances in Moldova and abroad. The fall of the Soviet Union paused Cristina’s creative ascension, and after graduating the School of Fine Arts she had to work in the corporate world to be able to support herself. In her thirties, she became a prominent business community leader, and in early forties was appointed as the Ambassador of Moldova to the United States.
In 2019, after an almost 20-year hiatus from painting, Cristina returned full-time to art, her abstract paintings being quickly noticed and appreciated by the public. Modern art magazines including Diafano (Spain), Art Hole and Boomer (UK) featured her works. Her paintings have been displayed in art shows in Washington D.C., New York City and Kiev. Cristina’s works are currently featured by galleries from NYC, Tokyo, and Barcelona.
Artist Statement
Art is beauty, harmony, and depth to me. It uplifts humanity and that is my contribution to the world. I aspire to make the invisible visible, to open the human heart, to awaken feelings deep inside all of us. I use acrylic on canvas, and sometimes molding paste to give texture to my works. Although I am seen as an abstract artist, each of my works is unique, born of pure inspiration and of my intention to help transform the world.
Exhibitions
April 2019, Washington D.C.: Group art show organized by Women Diplomatic Series;
December 2019, Chisinau: Solo art show “Universe” at the National Palace of the Republic of Moldova;
February 2020, New York City: “The Muse” group art show hosted by Gallery 104 and the New York Art Centre;
June 2020, Chisinau: Solo Art Show “Transformation” hosted by the Creative Lab Loft 13;
June 2021, Kiev: Group international art show “Ecological Rakurs” hosted by the National Folk Decorative Art Museum;
Aug-Sept. 2021, Ontario: Group international art show “Love – 2021” powered by Exhibizone, Biafarin;
November 2022, Chisinau: Group art show "InSpirArt" at Artcor Centre for Creative Industries;
January 2023, Bucharest: Group art show "I Walk the Line. We Walk the Spiral" at Galateca modern art gallery.
March-April 2023, Transilvania: Art residency at Amfiteatru Transilvania;
June 2023, Bucharest: Group art show Tailored Metamorphosis at Galateca Modern Art gallery, a satellite event of Romanian Design Week;
December 2023, Treviso: Group art show Grolla d'Orro at the Santa Caterina museum.
Some Media Features
June 2020, Barcelona: Diafano Modern Art Magazine published an interview with Cristina and ten of her works. Her painting has been featured on the cover of the magazine.
July 2021, Washington D.C. Washington Diplomat wrote about Cristina Balan’s transition from diplomacy to art.
November, 2020, United Kingdom: Cristina’s work has been featured in the sixth edition of the Art Hole Magazine, an independent artist-run publication dedicated to showcasing and promoting experimental and progressive contemporary art.
March, 2021, London: Cristina’s works have been featured in the Boomer art magazine.
October 2021, Netherlands: Interview with Vincent Moveland, founder of onlinergallery.art.
November 2022, London: “Why Art Has the Power to Change the World” by Russian Art+Culture
Art Studies
Sciusev School of Fine Arts, Moldova
Expressionist Abstract Art class with Tommas Hammar, Sweden
“Jump into Abstract Painting” with Tracy Verdugo, Australia
“Palette Knife Painting Techniques”, “Ink from A to Z”, “Free Motion Technique” with Oleg Iyrov, Ukraine
“Marten” artist coaching project with Oleg Iyrov, Ukraine
“Acrylic Painting” with Laure Anne, USA
“Abstract Painting” with Joy Fahey, UK
Art Business Academy, Kiev, Ukraine
Social Media
https://instagram.com/cristinabalandc
https://www.facebook.com/CristinaBalanMD/
https://twitter.com/CristinaBalanDC
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-balan-33a6734/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq5owdaqtC6LzV4CLhUUWyw/featured
Art Platforms
https://www.saatchiart.com/account/artworks/1850747
https://prismnfts.com/user/@cristinabalan?sort=1&skip=0
ttps://www.artsper.com/us/contemporary-artists/moldova/95202/cristina-balan