On May 24, 2024, at 3 PM, the “Inspiration as Response: Eugen Popa and Contemporary Chinese Painting Documentation Exhibition” opened at the China Cultural Center in Bucharest to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Romania. This significant event was hosted by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Broadcasting, and Tourism, the Zhejiang Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and the China Academy of Art (CAA).
Approximately 100 esteemed guests attended the opening ceremony, including Han Chunlin, Ambassador of China to Romania; Cosmin Hiristea, Romanian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; and Petru Lucaci, Chairman of the Visual Artists’ Union of Romania.
The project, initiated by the CAA in 2019, has previously been exhibited at the Art Museum of CAA and the Art Museum of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute. Under a China-Romania cultural agreement, Eugen Popa and his wife Gina Hagiu taught a Romanian oil painting training course at the former Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts (now CAA) from 1960 to 1962.
During their two-year stay in China, the Popas immerse themselves in traditional Chinese culture and art, which profoundly influenced their creations. Their works from this period were highly acclaimed in exhibitions upon their return to Romania.
The exhibition consists of four sections, showcasing 75 pieces (sets) of works, documents, and videos. It highlights the Popas’ paintings and their students’ works, as well as representative contemporary Chinese paintings. This exhibition not only commemorates the rich history of cultural exchanges between China and Romania but also demonstrates the remarkable impact of Eugen Popa’s contributions to the development of Chinese contemporary painting.
The “Romanian Oil Painting Training Course” stands as a cornerstone in the cultural exchange between the two countries, and this exhibition serves as a testament to the enduring friendship and mutual artistic inspiration.
