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.Umberto eco & Petru Russu
|  milano / Italy

Petru Rusu & Umberto eco
| Gummeson Gallery, STOCKHOLM

Petru Russu: Founder, Fine Artist, Editor, and Publisher

Petru Russu is a Swedish fine artist (MFA), founder, editor, and publisher of World of Art (WOA) Publishing and Masters of Today (MOT) Publishing, two distinguished publishing houses based in London, United Kingdom. He is also the creator of the World of Art (WOA) Contemporary Art magazine, an artist-run publishing platform dedicated to contemporary art, culture, and theory. The magazine serves artists, collectors, galleries, and museums by providing high-quality offset-printed and eBook editions. WOA is recognized as a leading art magazine, standing alongside ArtNews and Art in America.

The magazine’s distinguished collaborators include some of the world’s most prestigious galleries and museums, such as the Guggenheim Museum, the Venice Biennale, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, and numerous other institutions worldwide.

 

Innovator in Art Publishing & Digital Platforms

Petru is also the founder and director of:

- ART ADDICTION (Stockholm, 1992–1997)

- Piccola Galeria Correr (Venice, 1997–1999)

- Art Addiction Online Gallery (https://artaddiction.net)

Founded in June 1992, Art Addiction Online Gallery became the first-ever art website on the internet, pioneering the digital art space. The platform supports over 1,952 contemporary artist members and has been a cornerstone in promoting and supporting artists globally.

 

Major Contributions to the Art World

As a fine artist, founder, art publisher, and editor, Petru Russu has:

- Selected, exhibited, edited, and published over 7,150 contemporary artists

- Produced more than 100 bibliophile autograph-signed and numbered limited editions of high-quality offset-printed art books and eBooks

His works can be explored on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0039GVAVK.

 

Artistic Career & Influences

Born on January 27, 1965, in Reghin, Transylvania, Petru Russu is a Romanian-Swedish professional fine artist and art editor. He graduated from the prestigious UAD – University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca (Klausenburg) in 1979. In 1986, he received an Italian Government Studentship to support talented young artists, allowing him to engage in world-class cultural events with museums, galleries, and creative technology.

Through these opportunities, Petru met and collaborated with influential curators, art critics, and art historians, including:

- Dan Haulică

- Giulio Carlo Argan

-Pierre Restany

- Franco Maria Ricci

- Achille Bonito Oliva

- Enrico Crispolti

- Carmine Benincasa

- Giancarlo Politi

- Umberto Eco (semiotician, essayist, philosopher, and critic, who became a close friend of Petru)

 

Art Series & Literary Influences

Petru’s "Love, Sex, and Death" series is a Middle Ages Trilogy, inspired by some of the most monumental works of pre-Renaissance and classical literature:

- Giovanni Boccaccio’s Il Decamerone (707 years old)

- Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales

- Francis Petrarch’s The Story of Griselda

As his work evolved, he also drew inspiration from:

- Apuleius (Ancient Roman novelist, author of The Golden Ass)

- Umberto Eco (The Name of the Rose, Foucault’s Pendulum)

 

Exhibitions & Art Techniques

Petru Russu has organized around 200 individual and international exhibitions, and his artworks are displayed in:

- Museums

- Public collections

- Corporate collections

- Private collections

His unconventional etching technique, aqua-tinta-aqua-forte, is showcased in his DECAMERON project, depicting 100 erotic-to-tragic novels through unique hand-painted engravings. He has also represented the literary worlds of Umberto Eco through his illustrations of The Name of the Rose and Foucault’s Pendulum.

 

Current Work & Vision

Petru Russu lives and works between London and Stockholm (previously Bucharest until the mid-1980s). He continues to shape the art industry through groundbreaking exhibitions, art publishing, and pioneering digital initiatives.

 

His philosophy?
"The collaboration of art and business can lead to intriguing outcomes."

Umberto Eco's opens for the public and press Petru’s FOUCAULT PENDULUM exhibitions at Gummeson Gallery, December 1989

	1.Decameron: Giornata TERZA /Novella NONA, etching, 1985, image size 21x29 cm., / 8½x11½ in. US$ 1900		2. Decameron: Giornata terza /Novella prima, etching, 1985, image size 21x29 cm., / 8½x11½ in. US$ 1900		.3. Decameron: Giornata terza /Novella quatra, etching, 1985, image size 21x29 cm., / 8½x11½ in. US$ 1900
	4. Decameron: Giornata sexta /Novella otta, etching, 1985, image size 21x29 cm., / 8½x11½ in. US$ 1900		.5. Decameron: Giornata settima /Novella ottava, etching, 1985, image size 21x29 cm., / 8½x11½ in. US$ 1900		.6. Decameron: Giornata OTTAVA /Novella DECIMA, etching, 1985, image size 21x29 cm., / 8½x11½ in. US$ 1900
	.7. Decameron: Giornata NONA /Novella DECIMA, etching, 1985, image size 21x29 cm., / 8½x11½ in. US$ 1900		.8. Decameron: Giornata NONA /Novella TERZA, etching, 1985, image size 21x29 cm., / 8½x11½ in. US$ 1900		.9. Decameron: Giornata decima /Novella settima, etching, 1985, image size 21x29 cm., / 8½x11½ in. US$ 1900

Why an artist has to put his personal record on display wherever they show up, in order to earn some respect? It should be enough to look at the artworks. However, this isn't any secret so be my guest! Affiliations Romanian Fine Artist's Organization /UAP, Swedish Fine Artist's Organization /KOR ,American-International Graphic Art Foundation. Television interviews TVR Romania 2002, TVS 2 Sweden 1994, Canal 4 Sweden 1993, TVR Romania 1993, STV 1 Sweden 1989 (with Umberto Eco), RTV Romania 1989, Tele Tevere Italy 1987, TVR Romania 1980. Radio interviews P3 Europe Sweden 1994, Radio Romania 2002, 1997, 1989, 1987, 1980, 1978, 1976.   SELECTED EXHIBITIONS 1997-Contemporary Graphic Art from Finland and Sweden, University of Virginia / Fayerwather Gallery, USA 1996-The 8th International Print Triennial - Creativa-, Alvar Alto Museum, Finland 1994- International Impact Art Festival, Kyoto, Japan 1994-The 3rd World Print Triennial, Chamalieur, France 1994-The 14th Mini Print International, Cadaques, Spain 1994-The 2nd International Exhibition of Miniature Art, Stockholm, Sweden 1993-"Viking Erotica -glass" Individual exhibition, Gallery Glass I, Stockholm, Sweden 1993-The 1st International Exhibition of Miniature Art, Stockholm, Sweden 1993-"Alternativ", group exhibition, Gallery Glass I, Stockholm, Sweden 1993-International Summer Art Colony, Gällivare, Sweden 1992-The 10th Norwegian International Print Triennial, Fredrikstad, Norway 1992--The 8th Norwegian International Miniature Exhibition -Miniature 8-, Fredrikstad, Norway 1992--The 12th Mini Print International, Cadaques, Spain 1991-"New Paintings" Individual Exhibition, Pulchri Gallery, The Hague, Holland 1991-The 11th Mini Print International, Cadaques, Spain 1991-International Graphic Art, Darien, Connecticut, USA 1991-The 7th Norwegian International Miniature Exhibition -Miniature 7-, Fredrikstad, Norway 1991-" Viking Erotica -100 glass" Individual Exhibition, Risse Gallery, Munches,Germany 1990-The 11th Print International Award, Biella, Italy 1990-The 5th Annual International Exhibition of Miniature Art, Toronto, Canada 1990- The 10th Mini Print International, Cadaques, Spain 1990-The 9th International Print Triennial, Berlin, Germany 1989-"Il Pendulo di Foucault" Individual Exhibition, Gummeson Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden (opening by U. Eco) 1989-"Il Nome dela Rosa" & "Decamerone -100 etching" Individual Exhibition, Konstnärshuset, Stockholm, Sweden 1989-"Il Nome dela Rosa" Individual Exhibition, Centro Lavoro Arte, Milano, Italy 1989-The 5th International Art Biennal, Couven, Belgium 1989-The 3rd Annual International Exhibition of Miniature Art, Toronto, Canada 1989-The 8th Mini Print International, Cadaques, Spain 1989-International Miniature Print Biennial, John Szoke Gallery, New York, USA 1989-The 6th International Biennial of Graphic Art, Lods, Poland 1989-The 9th Norwegian International Print Triennial, Fredrikstad, Norway 1989-The 9th International Biennial of Humour and Satire in the Arts, Gabrovo, Bulgaria 1989-"Il Nome dela Rosa" Individual Exhibition, Arta Gallery, Arad, Romania 1989-The City of Bucharest Annual Exhibition, National Art Museum, Bucharest, Romania 1988-The 2nd International Exhibition of Visual and Experimental Poetry, San Diego, USA 1988-The 5th International Biennial of Graphic Art, Heidelberg, Germany 1988-The 2nd Annual International Exhibition of Miniature Art, Toronto, Canada 1988-The 4th Norwegian International Miniature Exhibition -Miniature 4-, Fredrikstad, Norway 1988-International ExLibris Prize "D'Annunzio", Pescara, Italy 1988-International Drawing Exhibition "Drawing 88", Pecs, Hungary 1988-"Decamerone -100 etching", Individual Exhibition, Art Museum, Craiova, Romania 1988-International Exhibition "Author Love", Centro Lavoro Arte, Milano, Italy 1988-International Exhibition "Author Love", Art Fair, Bolognia, Italy 1988-International Exhibition "Author Love", Eugenio Mondale, Sao Paulo, Brazil 1988-Romanian Contemporary Graphic Exhibition, Gallery Konstnärhuset, Stockholm, Sweden 1988-"Il Nome dela Rosa" Individual Exhibition, Italian Institute, Bucharest, Romania 1988-Romanian Contemporary Art, Belgrad, Yugoslavia 1988-Romanian Contemporary Art, Tel-Aviv, Israel 1988-The Annual National Graphic Art Exhibition, Dalles Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1988-Group Exhibition "Photography", Oradea Art Gallery, Romania 1988-The Young Artists National Exhibition, Baia-Mare Art Gallery, Romania 1988-The City of Bucharest Annual Exhibition, National Art Museum, Bucharest, Romania 1987-The 4th International Biennial of Graphic Art -Art Prize-, Stuttgard, Germany 1987-"Decamerone -100 etchings" Individual Exhibition, D'Arts Gallery, Milano, Italy 1987-The 17th International Biennial of Graphic Art, Ljubljana, Slovenia 1987-International Exlibris Competition, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium 1987-"Decamerone -100 etchings" Individual Exhibition, Campuslibri Gallery, Torino, Italy 1987-"Asino D'oro" Individual Exhibition, Galateea Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1987-The 8th International Graphic Triennial "Intergraphic", Berlun, Germany 1987-"Decamerone" Individual Exhibition to Romanian Academy Gallery, Roma, Italy 1987-The 4th International Triennial of Graphic Art, Vassa, Finland 1987-The 5th International Biennial of Graphic Art, Lods, Poland 1987-The 8th International Biennial of Humour and Satire in the Arts, Gabrovo, Bulgaria 1987-The 4th International Art Biennial, Couven, Belgium 1987-International Art Exhibition, Osaka, Japan 1987-The 2nd International Art Exhibition "Arts of Today", Budapest, Hungary 1987-International Mail Art Exhibition "Shadow Project", Milano, Italy 1987-The 1st International Exhibition of Contemporary Authors, Abruzzo and Molise, Italy 1987-International Mail Art Exhibition, Kassak-Schwitters", Zamky, Czechoslovakia 1987-The 1st Annual International Exhibition of Miniature Art, Toronto, Canada 1987-The 2nd International Biennial of Visual and Alternative Poetry, Mexico Tijuana, Veracruz, Mexico City, Puebla, Xalapa City, Mexaly, Ensenada 1987-The 1st International Print Biennial, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil 1987-"Small Prints", Group Exhibition, Cluj-Napoca, Bistrita, Romania 1987-"Prints", Group Exhibition, Orizont Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1987-The City of Bucharest Annual Exhibition, National Art Museum, Bucharest, Romania 1987-The Annual National Graphic Art Exhibition, Dalles Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1989-"Il Nome dela Rosa" Individual Exhibition, Centro Lavoro Arte, Milano, Italy 1987-"The Portrait", Group Exhibition, Orizont Gallery, Bucharest 1987-"Collisions", Group Exhibition, Orizont Gallery, Bucharest 1986-The 12th International Biennial of Print, Kanagawa, Japan 1986-The 7th International Triennial of Graphic Art, Frechen, Germany 1986-The 7th International Biennial of Art, Mouscron, Belgium 1986-The 25th "Juan Miro" International Drawing Contest, Barcelona, Spain 1986-The 1st International Triennial of Drawing, Kalisz, Poland 1986-The 1st International Art Exhibition "Arts of Today", Budapest, Hungary 1986-International Print Exhibition, Hautefeuille Gallery, Paris, France 1986-"Decamerone -100 etchings" Individual Exhibition, Italian Institute, Bucharest, Romania 1986-International Mail Art Exhibition, Noumea, New Caledonia 1986-"Decamerone -100 etchings" Individual Exhibition, Hellios Gallery, Timisoara, Romania 1986-International Graphic Exhibition, Espace Delpha, Paris, France 1986- National Summer Art Colony, Lazarea, Romania 1986-"Decamerone -100 etching", Individual Exhibition, Art Museum, Craiova, Romania 1986-"Paintings & Drawings" Individual Exhibition, Alfa Gallery, Arad, Romania 1986-The City of Bucharest Annual Exhibition, National Art Museum, Bucharest, Romania 1986-"Prints", Group Exhibition, Podul Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1986-"Space-Mirror", Group Exhibition, Architecture Academy, Bucharest, Romania 1985-The 24th "Juan Miro" International Drawing Contest, Barcelona, Spain 1985-The City of Bucharest Annual Exhibition, National Art Museum, Bucharest, Romania 1985-"Prints", Group Exhibition, Tulcea Art Museum, Tulcea, Romania 1985-The Annual National Graphic Art Exhibition, Dalles Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1985-"Voroneteana", Competition/ Exhibition, Suceava Art Gallery, Romania 1985-Mail Art Exhibition, Orizont Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1984-Romanian Contemporary Art Exhibition, The Hague, Holland 1984-The City of Bucharest Annual Exhibition, National Art Museum, Bucharest, Romania 1984-"The Bridge 6", National Print Exhibition, Podul Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1984-"Lithografs'84", Group Exhibition, Orizont Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1984-"Drawing-Poetri", Group Exhibition, Orizont Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1984-"Drawing'84", Group Exhibition, Orizont Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1984-National Summer Art Colony, Lazarea, Romania 1984-Romanian Contemporary Art Exhibition, Jerusalem, Israel 1983-Romanian Contemporary Art Exhibition, New York, Washington, Detroit, Columbus, USA 1983-Romanian Contemporary Art Exhibition, The Hague, Holland 1983-International Art Exhibition, La Rochelle, France 1983-Romanian Contemporary Art, Corner Gallery, Copenhag, Danmark 1983-The City of Bucharest Annual Exhibition, National Art Museum, Bucharest, Romania 1983-The National Art Exhibition "Party-People-One Wish"(!), Dalles Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1983-The Annual National Graphic Art Exhibition, Dalles Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1983-National Summer Art Colony, Piatra-Neamt, Romania 1983-"Studio Section", Group Exhibition, Orizont Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1983-"Graphics-Sculptures", Group Exhibition, Orizont Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1983-"Paintings-Sculptures-Drawings", Group Exhibition, Orizont Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1983-"The Print", Group Exhibition, Baia-Mare Gallery, Romania 1982- National Summer Art Colony, Râminicu Vâlcea, Romania 1982-The Annual National Graphic Art Exhibition, Dalles Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1982-"The Bridge 5", National Print Exhibition, Podul Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1982-The City of Bucharest Annual Exhibition, National Art Museum, Bucharest, Romania 1981-The City of Bucharest Annual Exhibition, National Art Museum, Bucharest, Romania 1981- National Summer Art Colony, Baia Mare, Romania 1981-The National Exhibition of Art "Party Anniversary"(PCR !), Dalles Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1981-The National Exhibition of Art "Singing Romania"(!), Dalles Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1980-"Drawings-Objects-Gouaches", Individual Exhibition, Tribuna Gallery, Cluj-Napoca, Romania 1980-"Drawings-Objects-Gouaches", Individual Exhibition, Orizont Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1980-The City of Bucharest Annual Exhibition, National Art Museum, Bucharest, Romania 1980-The National Graphic Art Exhibition, Dalles Gallery, Bucharest, Romania 1978-"Paintings",Individual Exhibition, Architecture Academy, Bucharest, Romania 1978-"Paintings", Individual Exhibition, Student Culture House, Cluj-Napoca, Romania 1977-"Paintings", Individual Exhibition, Apollo Gallery, Tg. Mures, Romania 1977-"Paintings", Individual Exhibition, Student Culture House, Cluj-Napoca, Romania 1975-"Paintings", Individual Exhibition, Corporate Art Club, Cluj-Napoca, Romania