In his studio in the heart of Cluj-Napoca, we visit Romanian visual artist Ovidiu Leuce (44). From collages and paintings to ceramics, the main focus of his work remains the everlasting cycle of time. ‘Each art piece gives birth to another.’

Upon entering his studio, we are met with many of Leuce’s artworks. One of the biggest shelves supports a collection of different ceramic pieces made over the years. Meanwhile, on the floor lays something that could only be described as the child between a painting and a collage. ‘I always think of myself as a painter though’, Leuce says with a smile. However, his art journey actually kicked off with drawings. ‘I grew up in a poor family, so when I was a child, I used to draw money for my parents. So I guess you could say making art came naturally to me.’

An unusual creative process

Time has always played an important role in Leuce’s art. Each of his pieces undergoes a long creative process and never seems to be completely finished. ‘I often start with a collage. There are some layers of photos, but eventually I just paint over them and kind of start all over again.’ His ceramics are usually a result of these collages and paintings. ‘It’s all about the process’, Leuce points out. ‘A work can be born from another work of art. Each piece is a starting point.’

For Leuce, art is a way of capturing how everything changes over time. Therefore, he frequently revisits older works, repaints canvases or reworks ceramic pieces. ‘My artworks are like memories. Everything is layered. And even if the layers -or memories- are covered by new ones, you still feel or remember the ones that came before.’

The importance of community

In addition to breaking away from traditional creative processes, Leuce also tries to challenge the stereotype associated with painters. ‘Normally you think of a painter as a solitary person. Somebody that stays in the studio and does his work in his ivory tower or whatever. But I don’t see it this way’, he says. ‘An artist is supposed to be part of a community.’

Collaborating with other artists is a way for Leuce to stay true to that feeling. Moreover, he finds that it helps him create more dynamic and vibrant artworks. ‘When you put your work in dialogue with someone else’s, it changes. It has to change.’

During our conversation, it becomes clear that Leuce likes the notion of things changing. For example, one of his favourite works is an installation consisting of small ceramic pieces that took on a new shape and arrangement each time it was exhibited. ‘Sometimes they were more organized, other times more chaotic. It kind of depended on the environment’, he explains. ‘I also like this idea of physical interaction with a work of art, of it not being static.’

Adding a personal layer to this piece, Leuce dedicated it to his former art teacher, the person who first encouraged him to explore ceramics. ‘It might be the most simple artwork I have ever made, but I feel more connected to that piece because of the meaning behind it. It definitely has something to do with sentimentality.’

Advice for the future generation

For younger artists, Leuce does not offer any technical advice or formulas. What matters most to him is attitude. ‘You have to be brave, and you have to enjoy what you do’, he tells us without hesitation. The artistic path is rarely easy, but Leuce believes that genuine enjoyment of the process is what keeps you going. It is not about immediate results, but about staying open, curious and committed— even when things evolve slowly or take unexpected turns. ‘In the end, if you truly enjoy it, some results will come. That’s for sure.’

Text: Paul Denker, Amélie Leers and Jarno Schwarze
Photos: © Julia Banasiak and Amélie Leers