ABOUT

SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Daniel Neculae completed his studies at the University of Bucharest and  obtained a BA in Byzantine Painting from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology. He was greatly influenced by his stay in Mount Athos at the Vatopedi Monastery, where he saw the work of  renown 13th c. iconographer Manuel Panselinos. His icons can be seen at the Romanian Patriarchate, Bucharest, in Romanian Orthodox churches and monasteries, as well as in private collections in Europe and the United States.

“As an iconographer, I try to place myself in a kind of monastic obedience to the canons of the old byzantine art. My icons bear the same eternal message in a constantly changing world. I believe that icons are like mysteries: they must be experienced not explained. When looking at an icon, one should pray not philosophise. Modern art encourages multiple interpretations while icons are not meant to be decoded or analysed. They invite you to pray and they are doorways to another world and to the divine spark in each of us.”

This website invites you to come in and experience icons in the light of your own faith. (See GALLERY)

WORK EXPERIENCE

Icon Exhibitions

  • 11 March – 4 April 2013: Individual exhibition in London (Sacred Space Gallery, St John’s Notting Hill, Lansdowne Crescent, London W11 2NN, UK)
  • November 2012: Group exhibition organised by the Cultural Commission of the city of Bertrange, Luxembourg (Maison Schauwenburg, place de l'Eglise, L-8056 Bertrange)
  • October 2012:  Group exhibition within the Interinstitutional Newcomers Fair and at the Europen Foyer in Luxembourg (event organised by the Painting Club within the Cultural Club of the European Institutions in Luxembourg)
  • November 2011: Group exhibition organised by the Cultural Commission of the city of Bertrange, Luxembourg (Maison Schauwenburg, place de l'Eglise, L-8056 Bertrange)
  • September 2011: Group exhibition in Remich, Luxembourg (event organised by the Painting Club within the Cultural Club of the European Institutions in Luxembourg)
  • August 2008 – May 2010: Writing icons for Darvari Skete (str. Schitul Darvari, nr. 3, sect. 2, Bucharest, Romania) and showing icons in the religious art gallery of the Skete
  • February 2006 – May 2011: Writing orthodox feast day icons for Saint Grigorie Palama's Church (Splaiul Independentei nr. 313, Sector 6, Bucharest, Romania)
  • December 2004 –  May 2010: Showing icons in different art galleries in Bucharest pertaining to the Fine Arts Union of Romania
  • April 2009: Group exhibition in Bucharest, Galateea Gallery (Calea Victoriei, nr 132, Bucharest, Romania)
  • December 2009: Group exhibition within the Annual Exhibition of Religious Paintings at Apollo Art Gallery (Bd. Nicolae Balcescu, Nr. 2, Bucharest, Romania)

Teaching

  • 2011 – Today: Lecturer (Cultural Club of the European Institutions in Luxembourg, Painting Club,  European Foyer, 10 - 12 rue Heine, L-1720 Luxembourg)
  • April 2009 – April 2010: Icon painting workshop within the School Of Painting „St. Luke The Evangelist” in Bucharest (Parish of St. Georges the Martyr, Calea Mosilor nr. 36. Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania)
  • August 2008 – May 2010: Teaching private courses of icon painting to different individuals

Frescoes   

July 2005 – October 2005: Wall painting (as an apprentice) inside Saint Grigorie Palama's Church in Bucharest and in St. Mary Nativity Church in Vama Veche

Commissions

I completed over 100 private and church commissions in Europe, Canada and the United States. A small selection is listed in the Gallery section of this website.

Education and training

  • Visit to Mount Athos (Vatopedi Monastery) - spiritual experience, study of the artistic treasures of the Holy Mountain (priceless icons and frescoes), March 2008
  • University of Bucharest - Faculty of Orthodox Theology - Religious Painting department - BA in Byzantine Painting, October 2001 – July 2005
  • Orthodox Theological Seminary „Sf. Apostol Andrei” of Galaţi - A-level, June 1996 – July 2001
  • Arts and Crafts School of  Galati – Painting Department - Training Certificate, September  1998- September 1999
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