Carmen Olteanu (b. 1980, Râmnicu Vâlcea, Romania) is a contemporary artist living and working in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Working primarily in painting—although she has also worked in sculpture and video—Olteanu employs oil, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, and ink on canvas, in which material decisions respond directly to emotional states rather than predefined formal systems. At the core of work lies an enduring engagement with the human condition. Her practice is centered on portraiture as a psychological tool rather than a representational one. Masks and dolls recur as structural motifs: masks operate as social devices—protective, deceptive, or performative—while dolls function as symbols of projection, vulnerability, and the desire for recognition. Across these bodies of work, meaning is often embedded in small, deliberately placed details that require slow viewing. Rather than resolving into clear narratives, the paintings remain open-ended, using gesture, erasure, and material density to register internal tension and introspection. In the end, painting, for Olteanu, operates as an active meditation—a continuous negotiation between what is seen and what is felt.
Carmen Olteanu holds a PhD in Fine and Decorative Arts, an MA in Visual Arts, and a BA in Painting of the National University of Arts in Bucharest, Romania. Notable exhibitions include one-person shows at the Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, Romania; Conrad Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Ionel Perlea Cultural Center, Slobozia, Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano, Taormina, Italy; Romania; Șuțu Palace Museum, Bucharest, Romania; the National Roma Culture Center in Bucharest, Romania; and group presentations at the National Museum of Art in Constanta, Romania; Palazzo della Fraternità dei Laici in Arezzo, Italy; National Museum Constantin Brâncuși, Târgu Jiu, Romania; Cultural Center “Mihai Eminescu”, Mangalia, Romania; National Village Museum, Bucharest, Romania; National Museum of Art of Romania in Bucharest, Romania; and more. Individual honors include the Apollon-Romania Trophy for Culture, Art and Civilization (2022) and an honorary certificate of the 20th International Art Colony of Rahovec (2021), among others. Her work has been presented at national and international art fairs such as Art World Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and the International Art Fair in Bucharest, Romania. Her work is held by public institutions such as the Constantin Brâncuși Museum in Târgu Jiu, Romania; and the Pinacoteca Municipiului București in Bucharest, Romania. Carmen Olteanu lives and works between Bucharest, Romania, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Image courtesy of the artist © Carmen Olteanu
EDUCATION
2010 PhD in Fine and Decorative Arts, National University of Arts, Bucharest, RO
Dissertation: The Portrait Between Historical Confirmations and Personal Vision
2006 Master’s Degree in Visual Arts, National University of Arts, Bucharest, RO
2004 Bachelor’s Degree in Painting with Pedagogical Certification, National University of Arts, Bucharest, RO
1998 Professional Certificate in Sculpture, High School of Fine Arts, Râmnicu Vâlcea, RO
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025 The Bridge of Emotions, The Bridge Wellness Hub, Abu Dhabi, UAE
When Art Meets Science, Hilton Hotel (44th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery) Abu Dhabi, UAE
Romanian Business Summit, Shaping the Future of Cross-Border Collaboration. Dubai, UAE
2024 Permanent Exhibition (under the patronage of H.E. Ambassador Octavian Bădică), Embassy of Romania, Abu Dhabi, UAE
National Day of Romania (organized by the Consulate General of Romania, under the patronage of H.E., Consul Viorel Badea), Harbour Hotel, Dubai, UAE
2023 Traces of My World (curated by Gheorghe Dican & Mayor Mircia Gutău) Anton Pann Theatre, Râmnicu Vâlcea, RO
Traces of My World (curated by Pavel Șușară & Ana Amelia, Dincă Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
Conrad Etihad Towers Exhibition (organized by the Embassy of Romania under the patronage of H.E. Ambassador Octavian Bădica), Abu Dhabi, UAE
2022 Traces of My World (curated by Ana Amelia Dincă), Arcadia Galleries, Ionel Perlea Cultural Center, Slobozia, RO
Traces of My World (curated by Ditter Top & Minister of Culture Lucian Romașcanu), Tony Bulandra Theatre, Târgoviște, RO
Traces of My World, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, Bucharest, RO
2019 Masks, Dolls, Puppets (curated by Dr. Francesca Gullotta, Councilor of Culture), Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano, Taormina, IT
Romanian Cultural Institute, Bucharest, RO
Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, Bucharest, RO
2018 Homo Ludens, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, Bucharest, RO
2007 City Hall, Buzău, RO
2006 Plav (in partnership with the UNESCO Club), Bucharest, RO
2005 Traditions, Șuțu Palace Museum, Bucharest,RO
2004 French Cultural Center Exhibition, French Cultural Center, Bucharest, Romania.
National Theatre, Bucharest, RO
2003 Portraits and Roma Traditions, National Roma Culture Center, Bucharest, RO
1999 Private Gallery, Râmnicu Vâlcea, RO
1998 UAP Exhibition, Union of Visual Artists Gallery, Râmnicu Vâlcea, RO
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 Art No Limit! (curated by Ioana Predescu), National Museum of Art, Constanța, RO
Harmony: Artists in Solidarity for a Cause, Mega Mall, Sharjah, UAE
Best Piece of Art, Dubai, UAE
2023 APOX ARTS, Palazzo della Fraternità dei Laici, Arezzo, IT
Painting, Kalamaria, GR
World Art Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
Art for Life, National Theatre, Bucharest, RO
2022 PIG 2: A Slaughter Story, National Museum of the Romanian Peasant, Bucharest, RO
Expressivity (curated by Carmen Olteanu & Radu George Serafim), Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
IPAAF – Premio Apoxiomeno, Pesaro, IT
Urban Expressions, City Hall Square & Cultural Center, Pitești, RO
Sails, Wind, Speed, Căminul Artei, UAP Gallery, Bucharest, RO
2021 PIG: A Slaughter Story, Căminul Artei Gallery, Bucharest, RO
National Salon of Contemporary Art (SNAC), Galeria Orizont, Bucharest, RO
Spiritual Dimensions – UNESCO, Patriarchal Palace, Bucharest, RO
Brâncuși Workshops, National Museum “Constantin Brâncuși”, Târgu Jiu, RO
Sunrise at the Black Sea, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
65 Years of Romania in UNESCO, National Opera, Bucharest, RO
International Art Exhibition, Cultural Center “Mihai Eminescu”, Mangalia, RO
International Art Exhibition, Rahovec, XK
International Art Exhibition, Fier, AL
International Art Exhibition, Mogoșoaia Palace, RO
2020 Harmony of Arts, Victoria Hub, Bucharest, RO
Tradition and Art, National Village Museum, Bucharest, RO
International Art Exhibition, UAP, Brașov, RO
Brâncovan Heritage, Mogoșoaia Palace, Mogoșoaia, RO
Live Performance, Victoria Hub, Bucharest, RO
National Art Biennial “Camil Ressu”, Galați, RO
The Salons of Moldova – 30th Edition, Bacău, RO & Chișinău, MD
Painting Salon, Căminul Artei Gallery, Bucharest, RO
2019 Harmony of Arts, Victoria Hub, Bucharest, RO
Paintings with Soul (charity exhibition), National Theatre, Bucharest, RO
Sounds of Old Bazaar, Cultural Information Center, Skopje, MK
Red Dominant, Artex Gallery, UAP, Râmnicu Vâlcea, RO
Spring Sings, Artex Gallery, UAP, Râmnicu Vâlcea, RO
International Art Exhibition, Obzor, BG
Temeiuri, Palace of the Parliament, Constantin Brâncuși Hall, Bucharest, RO
The Last Hour, Căminul Artei Gallery, Bucharest, RO
National Salon of Contemporary Art (SNAC), National Museum of Art of Romania, Bucharest, RO
2018 Temeiuri, Municipal Library, Coslada, ES
International Art Exhibition, Cultural Library “Petru Maior”, Reghin, RO
Internationale Werkstatt der Bildenden Kunst, Ringstraßen Galerien, Vienna, AT
FREE Camp – International Visual Art Workshop, Cultural Center Harghita, Miercurea Ciuc, RO
Inter-Country Fine Art Salon, Sibiu, RO
Black and White, Artex Gallery, Râmnicu Vâlcea, RO
International Workshop of Fine Arts, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
2017 The Ego of Beauty as Depiction of God, Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest, RO
2016 Mirroring and Transfiguration, Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest, RO
2015 Tree of Life, Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest, RO
2014 Signs of Spring, UAP Artex Gallery, Râmnicu Vâlcea, RO
2012 Biennial of Visual Arts, UAP Artex Gallery, Râmnicu Vâlcea, RO
2010 National Salon of Contemporary Arts, Sofianu Center Exhibition, Râmnicu Vâlcea, RO
2005 Multi-purpose Hall, Bucharest, RO
RESIDENCIES & SYMPOSIA
2023 1st International Painting Art Symposium, Kalamaria, GR
2022 National Visual Arts Creation Camp “Urban Expressions”, Pitești, RO
International Arts Festival, Pesaro, IT
2021 Brâncuși Workshops, International Art Symposium, Rânca, RO
20th International Art Colony, Rahovec, Kosovo
International Art Symposium, Montenegro
International Art Symposium, Fier, Albania
International Art Symposium, Mangalia, RO
International Art Symposium, Sunny Beach, BG
2020 International Contemporary Art Symposium, Hărman, Brașov, RO
International Art Symposium, Mogoșoaia Palace, RO
Papu Hristea National Art Symposium, Obârșia Lotrului, RO
2019 International Art Symposium, Hotel Solferino, Struga, MK
2018 Heliopolis International Art Camp, Obzor, BG
FREE Camp – International Visual Art Workshop, Miercurea Ciuc, RO
Rebirth Through Art, International Art Symposium, Royal Hunting Castle, Lăpușna, RO
1996 Student Art Exchange, Strasbourg, DE
ART FAIRS
2023 World Art Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
2018 International Art Fair, World Trade Center, Bucharest, RO
2005 International Art Fair, World Trade Center, Bucharest, RO
2004 International Art Fair, World Trade Center, Bucharest, RO
2003 International Art Fair, World Trade Center, Bucharest, RO
2002 International Art Fair, World Trade Center, Bucharest, RO
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
2023 Pelerin, Vlad Aurel Ciobanu, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
FREE Camp 2023, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
E-MOTIONS, Klara Pădurean, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
Univers Floral, Elisabeta Sultan, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
Lumea 9, Dalina Bădescu, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
2022 Expresivități, National Fine Arts Atelier, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
22, Suad Rama, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
Serafimi, Florian Mihăilescu & Nicu Dumitrescu, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
Fragments from the Secret Garden, Nicolae Ionescu, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
2021 Spirit and Colour, Marius Turaiche, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
Utopia, Burhan Ahmeti, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
Journal of Introspection V, Mirela Trăistaru & Dorothea Fleiss, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
Bucharest 2021, Eugen Raportoru, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
European Fascinations, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
2020 Chromatic Ascensions and Tensions, Daniel Crăciun, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
@rdoare, Mircea Bunescu, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
2019 Emotions, Gheorghe Coman, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
The Birth of a Rose, Agatha Blanck, Artoteca, Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, RO
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
2022 Apollon–Romania Trophy for Culture, Art and Civilization, RO
2021 Certificate of Appreciation, UNESCO Mihai Eminescu Cultural Center, RO
Honorary Certificate, 20th International Art Colony, Rahovec, XK
2019 Certificate of Recognition, International Art Symposium “Heliopolis”, Obzor, BG
2018 Certificate of Recognition, Apollo Art Colony, Fier, Albania
Certificate of Recognition, International Art Symposium, Lăpușna, RO
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Constantin Brâncuși Museum, Târgu Jiu, RO
Pinacoteca Municipiului București, Bucharest, RO
PRESS & MEDIA
Rizwana Shahid, “Romanian Artist Carmen Olteanu Unveils “The Bridge of Emotions in Abu Dhabi” in GDN Life (2025)
PR News Desk, “Romanian Artist Carmen Olteanu Unveils “The Birdge of Emotons” in Abu Dhabi” in Middle East News 247 (2025)
“Artists in Focus: Discover the Diverse Talents” in Magzoid Magazine (2024)
Cosmin Nasui, “Expozitie Internationala Art No Limit! @ Muzeul del Arta Constanta” in Modernism (2024)
George V. Grigore, “Carmen Olteanu – Tablourile sunt amprente ale lumii mele” in Natiunea (2024)
Andreea Andronache, “Expoziția internațională “ART no limit!” aduce o diversitate culturală remarcabilă” in Cuget Liber (2024)
Cosmin Nasui, “Expozitia Personalâ de Picturâ Carmen Olteanu Amprente Ale Lumii Mele @ Foaierul Teatrului Anton Pann din Râmnicu Vâlcea” in Modernism (2023)
“Expoziția Artă pentru viață” in TNB (2023)
“Amprente ale lumii pictoritei Carmen Olteanu” in Stirile National TV (2022)
Ana Amelia Dinca, “Amprente ale lumii mele @ Bucuresti” in Uniunea Artistilor Plastici din România (2022)
Ana Amelia Dinca, “Carmen Olteanu — Expozitie De Picturá, 30 lunie 2022 Ora 18:00, Galeriile Arcadia, Centrul Cultural Ionel Perlea” in Centrul Cultural Ionel Perlea (2022)
GT Post, “Comunicat de presă – Vernisajul expoziției artistei Carmen Olteanu” in Agentia de Presa Asii Români (2022)
Mini Necula, Carmen Olteanu, expozitie Artoteca (2022)
Ana Amelia Dinca, “Expozitie personalâ Carmen Olteanu @ Slobozia” in Uniunea Artistilor Plastici din România (2022)
Modernism ro, Carmen Olteanu / visual artist (2021)
“Măşti, păpuşi, marionete”, expoziţie Carmen Olteanu în Sala Mare a Institutului Cultural Român” in Institutul Cultural Român (2019)
“Jul. 15 / Sep. 15 — Painting Exhib by Carmen Oltreanu” in Taormina Friends Club (2019)