God's granted gift

The name of Moldovan artist Afanasie Oprea is known not only in our country but far beyond its borders. Among national artists he is probably one of the most talented. His capacity for work is amazing. Oprea can labor for 10 or even 12 hours a day. It all adds up to approximately 4000 works. Half of these are privately owned or form part of museum collections in various countries around the globe.

Oprea's expositions in Turkey, Holland, Japan and Romania were a big success and his work aroused much interest on the part of visitors and the press. Through over 45 years of teaching he has brought up more than a thousand students. Some of them have joined the Artists Union and commenced their work in different countries. Among them are Andrei Mudrea, Ion Zerciuc, Mihai Nereanu, and Gheorghe Oprea.

Afanasie is an artist with a big heart and a generous soul. His works have been given away to various political leaders including Jaques Chirac, the president of France. In them with inherent outstanding skill Oprea praises the beauty of Moldova.

For his big contribution to the national art and the teaching of young people Oprea was awarded the honorable title of "Maestru in Arta" and the "Meritul Civic" (Civic Merit) medal. His works are an endless source of happiness and inspiration despite all hardships he encountered as a man and an artist.

Oprea's biography is simple and complex at the same time just as the history of the land he was born on. Afanasie was one of many children of a country family. God must have been the one to keepsake the love for beautiful things in his soul. Once after the Second World War Moldovan artist Rostislav Okushko visited Delacau village, Grigoriopol region. After seeing some of his works he advised Oprea to come to Chisinau for the continuation of his studies at the Repin Art School. Afanasie was a diligent and enthusiastic student that mastered the mysteries of art with much fervor.

After graduating from the Repin Republican Art School he went to the military service. In Kharkov Oprea attended the Arts Institute after which he joined the Artists Union of Moldova. He commenced his career as a teacher in Art School and then later in the Pedagogical Institute in Chisinau. But beyond straightforward biographic facts are years of hard work and quests for inspiration. Oprea never stopped in his achievements and even after mastering the artist's profession he decides to perfect his skills at the Art Academy in St. Petersburg. As a father of three sons he continues his studies with famous Russian artists like Melnikov, Reshnikov, Ugarov, and Moisenko. Afanasie acknowledged that it would have been impossible to keep up without one special woman that was there for him all the way - his wife Maria.

With her husband she indulged in the hobby of growing flowers. Flowers that bloomed in their little orchard were later reproduced in Oprea's paintings. In his still-life "The Gifts of Nature" the artist recreates the authentic generosity of the land we live on: he paints fruits - water - melons, peaches, and grapes as if bowing in admiration before the power of nature that could attain such color hues, mould such shapes and make visible texture.

In another still-life "The Celebration of Harvest" crops and human hands are linked into one dynamic rhythm of color that brings an exquisite and seemingly realistic aspect to the composition. In his paintings of flowers every petal is meticulously detailed and comes to life on the canvas. Admiration on the part of the people from many different countries comes entirely from the unique sense of elevation which penetrates into the soul by means of that universal language - the language of art.

Man and his internal self were also prompting the arousal of a particular curiosity which gave Oprea the ability to paint portraits of Moldovan celebrities: Maria Biesu, Mihai Munteanu, Ivan Borshevich, Gheorghe Mustea, Serafim Urecheanu and Gleb Sainciuc. They look upon one from the flatness of the canvas, yet almost take voluminous form. Oprea's self-portrait which overflows with life affirming optimism is a crispy bright color ensemble.

Critic Petru Bucer wrote about Oprea: " He is an exceptional artist, one of the best in Moldova, whose works are very well known in Romania, Holland, Japan and Turkey. He is a man who wonders at the beauty of nature and greatly appreciates the esthetic aspects of life. Oprea's art is expressive in its sincerity and the true unraveling of the chosen moment, which will continue to impress generations to come."

The Editorial Board of Welcome magazine would like to wish Afanasi Oprea a happy birthday. May his health never fail, happiness be his everlasting guide through years to come and luck be close at hand in the realization of all plans.