“Through Brancusi's work, I learned how reducing form to its essential elements can transform specific representations, like a child's face or a bird, into universal concepts like innocence or flight. My path to understanding Brancusi came through studying West African art, which similarly uses simplified forms to capture ancestral archetypes.
Brancusi embodied Leonardo da Vinci's insight that "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." This principle guides my own work, where I seek to create objects that offer a sense of calm and groundedness. Working with stone and wood becomes a meditative practice, as I use hand tools deliberately and slowly, allowing time for reflection and intentional choices.
Each completed piece serves as a physical memory, embodying the full arc of its creation – from the initial spark of an idea through the forceful transformation of raw material to the careful refinement of its final form. While I cannot fully share this creative journey with you, these objects now begin their own path. Their future meaning and significance will be shaped by your interaction with them.”
Cris is a featured artist in "Brâncuși Reimagined: A Legacy Alive," a special exhibition at the Brâncuși Gallery, part of The Brâncuși Month in New York, organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute.
More details on the exhibit here: https://www.romanianatheart.com/events/2025/2/14/cristianianculescubrancusinyc
More about Cris’ work on his website: www.ianculescu.com.
