“Floral representations are a commonplace in popular tradition from an ethnographical or folkloric point of view, whether its Europe, the Balkans or Romania. And still, there are phytomorphic elements belonging to Romanian culture and specific details that make the difference not just between Romania and other neighboring countries, but also between inland regions, between villages, or between families. Moreover, it is a well-known fact that each IE (Romanian Blouse) is unique and says something very precise about its owner, the one that made it (if she is married, has children, if yes – how many, etc.) From a macro level to a micro level and back, Arina Bican gives us an excursion into the fascinating symbolism of ornaments. Since her penchant for fashion details is already a recognizable feature in her paintings, the focus in this solo show consists of the way she illustrates the hairstyle of her characters. For Arina Bican the queue serves as an indicator of femininity and speaks for manifestations of the respect for ancient traditions. Besides, they are a way to honor the cultural and historical legacy that the artist revisits. The braids depicted by Arina Bican, not only in her paintings, but also in her ceramics recall myths and interior images, while they also bring forth a journey into the subconscious collective Jung was describing; a journey through the virtual, the poetics of femininity, and the poetics of floral representations.” (Ana Daniela Sultana)

Arina Bican graduated from "Nicolae Tonitza" High school of Fine Arts (2010) and from the National University of Arts in Bucharest with a BA in mural art (2013), and a master’s degree in visual arts (2015). Member of the Fine Artists' Union (U.A.P.), Department of Painting, Arina Bican develops an intense exhibitional activity, with various solo and group shows, in Bucharest, across the country and abroad, as well as a pedagogical activity. In 2022 she opened her studio dedicated to painting lessons called Yellow House. Currently, she is exclusively represented by Kulterra Gallery.

Ana Daniela Sultana is a curator and columnist, who graduated from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. Her articles appear in ARTA magazine, Romanian-Italian Cultural Horizons and on agentiadecarte.ro. She collaborates with institutions such as creart – the Center for Creation, Art and Tradition of Bucharest, the International Cultural Centre in Krakow, the Romanian Cultural Institute in Istanbul, the Romanian Cultural Institute in Vienna, the Austrian Cultural Forum in Bucharest, the Museum of Bucharest, the Literature Museum in Bucharest, the Art Museum of Timișoara, Kunsthalle Feldbach, Aluniș Art Center and with various contemporary art galleries.