Memories of Time Gone By / Roxana Ajder @ Meron Gallery
13/08/2024
Roxana Ajder invites us on a journey that pays homage to summers past and the memories that define us, beginning on August 16th and continuing until September 12th at Meron Gallery. The exhibition called Memories of Time Gone By is curated by Crina Ciocian.
Nudity plays a central role in the exhibition, serving as more than just a representation of the human body. In the context of Roxana’s work, nudity symbolizes freedom, vulnerability, and the authentic connection between the individual and the surrounding nature. The nudes are not presented as solitary figures but often appear in groups or pairs, emphasizing the interdependence and harmony between people and nature. This aspect adds a profound emotional dimension to the works, suggesting that true freedom and beauty come from complete self-acceptance and a sincere connection with the environment.
The exhibition shows us how past summers can become our emotional refuge. On display, the nudes are not merely human figures but symbols of sharing and connection. Sometimes, they are presented in groups, other times in pairs, but always in a setting that suggests closeness between people, where each is part of a harmonious whole. The images are set against backgrounds that evoke the sea, the forest, or the pool, suggesting various times of the day—from the warm light of dawn to the mysterious shadows of dusk. These backgrounds are not just settings but characters that add depth and emotion to the entire story.
Light and shadow play an essential role in this narrative. Roxana uses variations in light to reflect the passage of time and the subtle changes in emotional states. In each work, the shifts in tones and shades help us experience the fleeting nature of the moment and connect with the past in a profound and personal way. Visitors are invited to observe how morning light can bring optimism and clarity, while evening shadows can evoke melancholy and introspection.
The exhibition “Memories of Time Gone By” is essentially an escape from the everyday. It is a place where time seems to stand still, offering us the chance to contemplate, reflect, and reconnect with ourselves. Visitors will feel as if they have entered a sanctuary of memories, where art is not just a visual representation but a portal to deep emotions and a close connection with nature and the self. Roxana Ajder revives the memories of summers past through a visual narrative that blends nostalgia with natural beauty.
About Roxana Ajder
Born in Galați, Romania, in 1991, Roxana Ajder is a contemporary painter who currently lives and works in Cluj-Napoca. Her work addresses themes related to the ambivalent aspects of femininity and beauty in contemporary society. She is particularly interested in the plasticity of the human body. Recalling (neo)expressionist painting gestures combined with feminist discourse, conceptual art, and eroticism, her work explores the relationship between art, nature, and feminine beauty, as well as between historical art models and twentieth-century supermodels. Her works contribute to a deeper understanding of feminine experience and identity. The subject of her paintings lies between the classical nude narrative and immediate physical reality, initiating discussions around stereotypes of idealized and de-idealized femininity while also conveying underlying meanings that evoke distinct ideological codings.
In 2019, Roxana was one of the finalists of the Biennale Jeune Création Européenne and participated in a series of collective exhibitions organized in seven European cities from 2019 to 2021.
The vernissage of the exhibition will take place on August 20, 2024, starting at 6:00 PM, at Meron Gallery in Cluj-Napoca. Admission is free and the exhibition will be open to the public from August 16th to September 12th, 2024.