Mihai Cotiga - I've never seen this before

A portrait suspended between awe and disorientation. This elderly man’s gaze—wide, urgent, and filled with unspoken questions—anchors the entire canvas. Rendered in stark black and white with thick, sculptural impasto, the face becomes a living landscape of time and emotion. The only burst of color: a vividly striped garment, somewhere between clownish joy and existential absurdity. It’s contrast not just in palette, but in mood—between vibrant life and the stark unknown.

Echoes of Francis Bacon’s psychological intensity are present, but the piece stays grounded in its own voice. It's not about fear, nor nostalgia. It’s about the human response to something that cracks the frame of normal—whatever that may be. A moment of radical attention, caught in oil.

The painting is executed in oil on canvas and is mounted on a wooden stretcher. The painting will be meticulously packaged and shipped directly from Mihai Cotiga's studio, ensuring it reaches collectors in flawless condition. The artwork is hand-signed on the back and includes a certificate of authenticity.

Mihai Mircea Cotiga is a Romanian artist whose journey from Turnu Măgurele to Bucharest has been marked by an unrelenting pursuit of curiosity and innovation. His works explore the intersection of art history, photographic manipulation, and AI, pushing the boundaries of traditional oil painting. With a Master's degree in Architecture from the University “Spiru Haret” in Bucharest, his unique perspective bridges the structural precision of architecture with the expressive depth of fine art.

Cotiga's paintings, often featuring older figures in dreamlike and surreal settings, weave together threads of history, memory, and a distinct appreciation for the human experience. He primarily works with oil paints, valuing their rich texture and historical gravitas, which allow him to explore light, texture, and emotion in profound ways. His art has been acquired by private collectors worldwide, resonating with those who appreciate both technical mastery and conceptual depth.

Exhibitions:

2024 - Group show - Fluidități ale formei (Culturama Festival) - Brașov, Romania - July-August
2023 - Group show - Figures 2023 - CICA Museum - Gimpo, South Korea - August-September
2021 - Group show - Fusion Arts Fair 2021 - Bucharest, Romania - June
2018 - Group show - Singular-Art - Nijmegen, Netherlands - May-September
2016 - Personal exhibition - University "Spiru Haret" - March-April
2013 - Personal exhibition - Museum of Bucharest - November

For more of Mihai Cotiga's works, visit his Instagram: @mihaicotigapaints