Petre Velicu, Arlechin, pastel, 40×32 cm, signed lower left with black

Petre Velicu was born in 1950 in Bucharest and studied art at the Institute of Fine Arts Nicolae Grigorescu with Gheorghe Șaru. Beneficiary of the Theodor Aman scholarship, granted by the Bucharest City Hall until 1980, begins, after this date, to participate in group exhibitions (Orizont galleries, Atelier 35, Simeza gallery).

He also exhibits abroad – Bulgaria, Switzerland, China, and, since 1990, he has settled in France where he participates in the Paris Autumn Show. He opens many personal exhibitions at: Sébastien Art Center in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer and Carrousel du Louvre in 1996, France’s Bastion in Porto Vecchio in 1999, Manege Royal in Saint Germain en Laye in 2000 and 2002, Fine Art Gallery in 2002.

The surrealist universe of the painter seems to have the same origin as that of Stefan Câlția, Mircea Ciobanu or Ana Ruxandra Ilfoveanu – populated by timeless characters who borrow from the symbolism and mystery of the medieval carnival, stuck in precious attitudes, on neutral backgrounds that deconstruct them.