"What Is Carried?" by Oana Știrbu

At the heart of the exhibition is a question that goes far beyond the material: What do we carry with us as time passes and things decay? What do we let go of?

Since 2021, Știrbu has been developing her own formulations using discarded and organic materials—coffee grounds, eggshells, algae, paper, dried leaves, copper—which she transforms through oxidation, crystallization, drying, and decay.

The artist sets the initial conditions; time and nature complete the work.

“Every series begins with a question, and the material is the way I keep it open,” says Știrbu.

“I create environments that become a place to examine what a rupture leaves behind—and what remains hidden from perception?”

Curator Sergio Gomez (33 Contemporary Gallery, Miami) says: “Oana Știrbu’s works become testimonies of transformation and move between sculpture, painting, scientific experiment, and archaeological artifact”;

Știrbu’s practice spans installation, painting, and time-based organic processes.

Her background in clinical psychology shapes an approach that conceives the artwork as a site of investigation.

Additional dates:

On September 10 at 6 p.m., a dialogue open to the public will take place:

“What is Carried?—a conversation between matter and psyche” between the artist and psychoanalyst Cătălin Știrbu.

On September 13 at 6 p.m., there will be a guided tour followed by a conversation with Oana Știrbu—her final event on-site.

In addition, a workshop (for children and adults) exploring the artist’s creative process will be offered.

The exact date for the workshop will be updated regularly on projekteflora.org.

Free admission.

Guided tour & artist talk (Sept. 10 & 13): €10 on a donation basis.