When the Wildflowers Grow by Ruxandra Nițescu
Ruxandra Nițescu, a Romanian interdisciplinary artist, delves into themes of loneliness, abandonment, illness, and the complexities of personal and collective trauma, often drawing from her own experiences. A recent graduate in Photography and Video from the National University of Arts in Bucharest, she is now pursuing a master’s degree in the same field, advancing an artistic practice that spans photography, video, sound, drawing, and engraving. Recently, her work has increasingly explored natural spaces and their potential for soothing personal pain, a theme central to her current projects.
During her Magic Carpets residency in Slon, Ruxandra immersed herself in the village’s tranquil rhythm, capturing the sensory details of rural life: the morning sounds of cows and sheep, the evening bark of dogs, and the intermingling of birds and insects. This unique setting inspired When the Wildflowers Grow, a project centred on the lives of teenage girls in the village, exploring their connection to their hometown and their aspirations for the future.
When the Wildflowers Grow investigates the bond between rural teenage girls in Slon, their family expectations, and their dreams. Through a performative video and a collaborative poem, Ruxandra captures the transition these girls face as they balance rural life with the potential of moving to urban areas. Her close collaboration with these young women fosters a “safe space” where they share their experiences and aspirations. The video component visually and sonically animates their stories, reflecting a unique blend of youth, ambition, and identity shaped by the rural landscape.
In addition to this project, Ruxandra led a creative workshop for the village children, focusing on community engagement and educational exchange, both core values of the Magic Carpets residency. She guided the children in extracting natural pigments from local plants to paint a collective garden on a shared canvas. This hands-on experience sparked their creativity and introduced them to art, deepening their connection to both the environment and self-expression.
These workshops form an integral part of the residency, offering Slon’s children opportunities to explore creativity under the guidance of visiting artists. Ruxandra’s time with Magic Carpets brought new perspectives to the local community, inspiring the younger generation to view art as a means of self-expression and connection.
Through When the Wildflowers Grow and her community work, Ruxandra Nițescu sheds new light on rural adolescence in Romania, highlighting the connection between identity and place. She continues to explore universal themes of loneliness, hope, and transformation, contributing to a more empathetic understanding of the human experience in its many forms.
Emerging artist: Ruxandra Nițescu (Bucharest, Romania)
Residency place: META Cultural Foundation (Slon village, Prahova County, Romania)
Practice: Interdisciplinary artist
Collaborating artists: Charlie Cauchi, Anastasiya Ivanova, Mihai Smeu
Curated by: Raluca-Elena Doroftei
Curatorial text by Raluca-Elena Doroftei