In this exhibition, Matei Șerban Sandu engages with Thomas Mann’s novel The Magic Mountain, where the two philosophers—humanist Ludovico Settembrini and dogmatist Leo Naphta—hold conflicting views on the same subjects. These opposing perspectives are reflected in Sandu’s graphic works, created using two distinct techniques: monoprints and ink brush drawings. Life is viewed from a horizontal perspective; sleep and dreams in anticipation of awakening are central themes of the artist’s visual meditation.
Matei Șerban Sandu is a graphic artist and painter with a career spanning over 40 years. He has lived and worked internationally in the United States, France, and Germany, but chose to continue his artistic career in Bucharest, where his studio is based. He has influenced and mentored many contemporary artists and carries on an artistic tradition rooted in André Lhote. Sandu has exhibited widely, with shows in the US, UK, Germany, and Romania. His recent exhibitions include international paper art events and traveling shows in Italy and Romania. In 2016, a documentary about his work was released, titled Despre claritatea intenției (On the Clarity of Intention). His artworks are held in public and private collections across countries such as Norway, France, Germany, Japan, and Canada.
