With its ability to convey intricate narratives and emotions beyond literal representation, art taps into the profound aspects of human experience. For Calina Hiriza, a New Jersey artist, her pieces weave complex tales using a covert language devoid of physical references. Her artistic journey commences with a dialogue between self and material, leading to the abstract, where the body of work is deciphered through texture and chromatic intensity. “My creative process is a quest for the unknown—unknown thoughts, ideas, principles, even realities. When we juxtapose the infinite universe with the mundane, the seen, the understood, the creative juices start flowing,” shares Calina, offering a unique perspective on her creative process. With a preference for vivid colors, the shapes created are guided by impulses and the relationship between emotional resonance and exploration. Through this manifestation, the work's materiality offers unique properties, textures, colors, and capabilities, each influencing her choices and methods.
Born in Cluj, Romania, Calina has resided in Italy, New York City, and now Millburn, New Jersey. Traditionally trained in the fine arts with a BFA and AA from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, her work continues to evolve through various series. Calina's journey from figurative to abstract art reflects a profound exploration driven by curiosity and a quest for deeper meaning. As her inquisitive nature led her to question the limitations of representation, she found a new language in raw materials. In her latest work, the artist pushes the medium's limits beyond the intended use, as creation is the only way to overcome the mundane and generate anew. The usually discarded, dried paint is encased in resin, layer by layer. The result is an aesthetically striking and perfectly still moment of calculated discord. This portal to a new beginning proves that higher than actuality stands possibility.
Left to right from top: Big Bang, Poezia, Stories From A Black Hole, Synthetic Whimsy, Through The Gates Of Time Unspent. Photos provided by Calina Hiriza
Calina’s adventurous approach to art and willingness to explore various mediums, from traditional paints to unconventional materials like resin, demonstrates a deep curiosity and openness to experimentation. There is a profound connection between the materials and the immediate manipulation of the paint as it manifests across the surface. “I like to play with matte and gloss mediums in my paintings.” The resin pieces are made of fluid epoxy and solidified paint skin. In all cases, “layering plays an important role, concealing and revealing simultaneously, like an ongoing game of hide and seek.” The fascination with juxtaposing and interacting with varied materials within the same family adds a dynamic dimension to her artistic explorations. These materials enhance the contrasting concepts and emotions by creating layers, inviting viewers to a visceral experience and deeper contemplation.
Every artist faces challenges, and these experiences, when overcome, lead to growth in one’s career. Calina’s drive and ambition help to overcome the struggle of fleeting time. “I sometimes wish I could create without the need to eat, sleep, or perform household duties.” Even when she is not physically creating, Calina mentally “ponders” various scenarios in her head so that the work maintains a sense of continuity and momentum upon her return to the studio. “I can attest that I will not become complacent about one success. The world is large, and there are more worlds to be discovered outside of it. Curiosity is what drives me.”
Ultimately, Calina intends to evoke a response, whether it be wonder, genuine interest, or even strong emotion like hate rather than indifference. This speaks to the power of her art to provoke thought and spark engagement. By eliciting a reaction from viewers, she invites them to actively engage with her work and delve into its layers of meaning and possibility. This powerful desire to inspire viewers to become open to their options and to encourage them to cross barriers and perceived borders is a noble aspiration. Abstract art, with its inherent ambiguity and openness to interpretation, is uniquely positioned to facilitate this exploration and introspection.
