Iulia Octavia
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Hello there! It seems you have caught me at an awkward place, for I haven't set up this button yet.Making a website is hard and there is so much to do, but I am getting to it so don't worry.I ask that you stick around and check back later. However, if the matter is pressing, please feel free to contact me below regarding the piece you were interested in.Until then, thank you for your patience with my construction!
Paintings
Duality, 2019
Oil on canvas
40 in. x 32 in.
The Fool, 2020
Acrylic on toned canvas
12 in. x 9 in.
Frogman, 2020
Acrylic on canvas
12 in. x 9 in.Private collection
Illustration
Dead Minotaur, 2020
White charcoal pencil, leather on black paper
18 in. x 24 in.
Skull and Daggers, 2019
Lithograph, ink on paper
11 in. x 14 in.
Sun Ray Insomnia, 2020
Screenprint, ink, white ink
Monotype #5
7 in. x 7 in.
Moss Bodies
Much like the surroundings, it echoes a memory of humanity in a now abandoned place, waiting for time and the elements to chip away slowly at its form. In time, the figures will become part of the surrounding debris, having been experienced by explorers in various stages of their existence and interacted with in whatever way they see fit.
38.026728° N , -117.883653° W, Feb. 2024
Coaldale, Nevada
Bio person, burlap, dehydrated moss, pinecones, palm fronds, tree bark, artist's boots
34.94857° N, 116.68442° W, Sept. 2023
Lake Dolores Waterpark, California
Trash person, dehydrated moss,
arm chair, reclaimed fabric from family's furniture
35.11321° N, 111.09202° W, June 2023
Two Guns, Arizona
Bio person, burlap, flowers, dehydrated moss, pinecones, palm fronds, tree barkPrivate collection
35.16110° N, 111.27925° W, June 2023
Twin Arrows, Arizona
Trash person, tree bark,
dehydrated moss, letter
34.94818° N, 116.68449° W, March 2023
Lake Dolores Waterpark, California
Trash person, dehydrated moss,
tree bark, melted styrofoam,
dried flowers, hardboardPrivate collection
Nestled in one of the dilapidated buildings of the Lake Dolores Waterpark, the mossy figure lies peacefully in a bed of growth and flowers. Amongst the rubble and debris, leftover spray paint cans and signs of human touch long since forgotten, it rests with its head looking up at an opening in the roof, watching the sunset every evening.
Calusari, 2022
Weathered pallet wood, tree branches, termites, coffee grounds, wooden fur masks, dehydrated moss, trash person
Dimensions variable
Figure: 77 in. x 21 in. x 27 in.Private collection
Towering over the viewer, this larger than life figure solemnly stands surrounded by an artificial forest of its own design. Hanging from the branches are Calusari masks, calling back to a pagan winter tradition in Romania where the streets are overtaken by a parade of monsters and animals to scare off the evil and bring about abundance and prosperity for the warmer seasons.
The figure, overgrown with moss, holds a MacGyvered woodworking tool and an unfinished mask, pulled from a pile of works in progress at its feet. Culturally, the masks and the war dance they are worn during are only allowed to be made and perfomed respectively by men.
Through exclusion and disconnection, the piece serves as a self-portrait of someone desperately trying to carve a space within their own heritage.
Sculpture
Lilith, 2024
Cast and welded aluminum
8 in. x 8 in. x 5 in.
Lilith is a reconception of the Garden of Eden and the first temptation of humanity. Lilith and Adam were both created from the same clay at the same time, but parted when Lilith refused to live subserviently to her equal, Adam. In response, God created Eve as a partner to Adam, this time from Adam's rib. Yet, Eve was later tempted by a serpent to gain wisdom apart from God.
Lilith proposes the possibility that the serpent, commonly believed to be Satan, could have been the fugitive Lilith, imparting the same wisdom that allowed her to break from the bounds of servitude onto Eve, another woman fated to be lesser than Adam. Lilith being created of cast and welded industrial aluminum calls to the coldness and evil projected onto her. In Lilith, a woman’s spine is the allegory for the objectification of the feminine form, stripped of the vulnerability for what she is commonly objectified by. Her objectification borders on the uncanny and inhuman; Lilith twists, the Atlas vertebra and the viewer are suspended in each other’s gaze.
Idly By, 2023
Cast aluminum, fishbone chain, tree root
Dimensions variablePrivate collection
La Mijloc, 2020
Rhyolite, Nevada
Welded steel, sandless grout
36 in. x 24 in. x 24 in.Goldwell Open Air Museum, 2021
A near life-size replica of a mining cart that is famously suspended in an underground salt lake within the Cacica Salt Mine in Suceava, Romania. The work symbolizes a piece of the history and heritage of my family, who originate from that area, brought into another historic mining town in the region where I live currently.
A Binding Oath: The Punk-y Promise, 2020
Cast aluminum, wood, steel chain
21 in. x 11 in. x 3 in.
The yubikiri genman or, the pinky swear, represents a promise or deal made between two individuals at the exchange of vulnerability, as one could break the pinky of the other if this promise is broken. From this sideways position, the stakes and risk of harm are much lower, indicating that the promise is being made without threat and out of an act of loyalty rather than self-preservation.
Guardian, 2019
Welded steel rod, black and white fabric, inscription burned on leather
28 in. x 26 in. x 36 in.
The piece was created as a memorial for the late UNLV professor, Roxy Montoya, who served as a beloved friend and mentor.
Trophy Hunting, 2020
Cast aluminum, wood
11 in. x 14 in.
Skull Pile No. 1, 2022
Cast aluminum
7 in. x 6.5 in. x 5.5 in.
Sicriu, 2021
Weathered pallet wood, Douglas Fir, coffee grounds, mixed media
58 in. x 25 in. x 20 in.
This piece is functional coffee table, fit with a tempered glass top and made from weathered palette wood, resembling a historic coffin. Within this funerary box, there is a corpse packed tightly and uncomfortably in dirt as if the lid caved in from the weight of the earth. Moss and vinery is now growing from this “living corpse” as it is slowly being reclaimed by nature.
The weathered coffin and decomposing form is reminiscent of the first recorded natural burials often practiced in Medieval times. The “dirt” is a mixture of dried and fresh coffee grounds to prevent any insects or bacteria to live inside the table yet still maintain its earthy qualities.
About me
Iulia Filipov-Serediuc is an interdisciplinary artist confronting the ideas of mortality, morality, and notions of tradition. Stemming from a rich history of antiquated beliefs, Filipov-Serediuc inquires if 'things really happened that way'. Using elements from mythology, folklore, and religious ideology, she explores the ephemeral nature of existence through a fantastical lens.Her practice is informed by her Romanian heritage, the visual language and aesthetics of the Old World, and sheer stubbornness. The usage of discarded and alternative materials is a staple within her work, questioning the wastefulness of the modern man and what that squandering will create in the future. Her recent body of work poses the possibility of divinity being found within the experience of the average person. Through a combined practice of foundry, sculpture, and illustration, the imagery she creates contributes to a convoluted world of challenging perspectives and hot takes.Working between foundry, moss, painting, illustration, and the discarded, Filipov-Serediuc investigates the boundaries of form and time. Filipov-Serediuc enjoys building within her community, most proudly as a co-founder of the Desert Biennial Project and My Boyfriend Is Out of Town. Her work has been shown in Nevada, California, New Mexico, Arizona, and New York.Filipov-Serediuc graduated with her BFA in studio art and is currently pursuing an MFA from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Master of Fine Arts
University of Las Vegas, Nevada
May 2027
Bachelor of Fine Arts
University of Las Vegas, Nevada
May 2022
Associate of Arts
Western Nevada College
May 2017
Professional Experience
Marjorie Barrick Museum
Contract Gallery Installer / Art Handler
March 2024 - Present
Brett King Design LLC
Contracted Fabricator
August 2023 - November 2023
Private
Contract Fabricator
January 2023 - Present
Freelance
Gallery Installer / Art Handler
August 2021 - Present
Private
Studio Assistant
May 2021 - Present
Freelance
Fabricator
January 2021 - Present
UNLV
Studio Manager
January 2021 - May 2024
Freelance
Graphic Designer
April 2015 - January 2023
Exhibitions
Selected Group:
Queer Monuments
Winchester Dondero Cultural Center
Las Vegas, NV
2024
Behind the Mask: The Art of Women Welders II
Wagner College
Staten Island, NY
2024
Contemporary Roots: New and Old Traditions
SITE SANTE FE and Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe, NM
2024
The Outside Top
Screaming Demon Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2024
Behind the Mask: The Art of Women Welders
Culture Lab LIC
Long Island City, NY
2024
Cupid's Curse II
Nevada Fine Arts Gallery
Reno, NV
2024
Stone Soup
Desert Biennial Project
Jean Roach Dry Lakebed, NV
2023
This Is How We Do It
UNLV Alta Ham Loft Space
Las Vegas, NV
2023
Raggedy Stan's Playpen
UNLV Grant Hall Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2023
OOPS!
UNLV Grant Hall Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2023
Featured Guest
Saturation Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2023
Tremendous
City Hall Grand Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2022
OUT of This World!
Core Contemporary
Las Vegas, NV
2022
BFA Thesis Exhibition
Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2022
Losing My...
Vegas Institute for Contemporary Engagement (online)
Las Vegas, NV
2022
Thoughtfully Myself
UNLV Student Union Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2021
Asbestos Exposure - BFA Midway Exhibition
UNLV Grant Hall Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2021
Back At It
UNLV Student Union Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2021
Artist Funk
Saturation Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2021
In Depth Exhibition
UNLV Student Union Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2021
Annual Juried Student Exhibition
Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery (online)
Las Vegas, NV
2021
Mining Our Landscape
Goldwell Open Air Museum (Red Barn Center)
Rhyolite, NV
2021
New Monuments for a Future Las Vegas
Nevada Humanities
Las Vegas, NV
2020
Memories Fade
UNLV Grant Hall Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2019
Annual Juried Student Exhibition
Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2019
Seeing With Paint
UNLV Student Union Gallery
Las Vegas, NV
2019
Curatorial & Artist Talks
Curatorial:
Stone Soup
Desert Biennial Project
Jean Roach Dry Lake Bed, NV
2023
Artist Talks:
BFA Thesis Exhibition
Marjorie Barrick Museum
Las Vegas, NV
2023
Religion and the Arts
American Academy of Religion
Annual Meeting 2022
Virtual Conference
2022
Workshops
Art Walk
Aluminati x UNLV
Las Vegas, NV
2022
Ana Mendieta
Aluminati x Marjorie Barrick Museum
Las Vegas, NV
2022
Art Walk
Aluminati x UNLV
Las Vegas, NV
2021
Molybdomancy – Live Tin Pouring Demo
HeyMaker
Las Vegas, NV
2021
Bird Houses Workshop
Trinity United Methodist Church
Las Vegas, NV
2019
Painting and Crafts Workshop
North Las Vegas Care Center
Las Vegas, NV
2017-2019
Permanent Collections
Idly By, 2023Private Collection
2023
Seat of the Witching Hour, 2022Private Collection
2022
La Mijloc, 2020Collection of Goldwell Open Air Museum
2021
Publications, Print, & FIlm
Digital Publications:
"Behind the Mask: Women Welders at the Culture Lab LIC"
by Art Spiel
Art Spiel
2024
"Behind the Mask: The Art of Women Who Weld” at Culture Lab LIC Illustrates How Women Are Changing Welding"
by Courtney Lester
International Sculpture Center
2024
"Aluminati: Rekindling a Forgotten Future of Foundry"
by Emily Budd
Couch In The Desert
2023
"In Depth: an Exhibition of Works in Relief"
by D.K. Sole
Couch In The Desert
2021