The Street II 2010

Romul Nutiu made "The Street II," a painting that feels like a jazzy improvisation, full of bold moves and unexpected harmonies. The golden yellow ground hums beneath a flurry of marks, like a stage set for a chaotic street performance. Look closely, and you'll see how the black lines dance and weave, sometimes defining figures, sometimes just pure energy. Nutiu isn't trying to give us a literal picture of a street, but more like the feeling of being in one. The paint is applied with a kind of urgent freedom. Thick strokes of red and black crash against the yellow, creating a vibrant, almost dizzying effect. There's a real physicality to it, like you could reach out and touch the artist's process. That upside-down figure near the top – is it falling, flying, or just part of the general commotion? I love how Nutiu embraces ambiguity, reminding us that art isn't about answers, but about opening up new ways of seeing. Think of someone like Karel Appel; Nutiu feels like he's part of that same conversation, pushing painting to its rawest, most expressive limits.