Karda Zenko

Zenko Karda is an established contemporary painter and internationally published illustrator whose work is a profound, deeply personal journey between reality and fantasy. Rooted in the rich cultural landscapes of Transylvania, her artistic vision has been shaped from an early age by ancestral roots, ancient traditions, and the mystical world of folk tales that have accompanied her throughout her entire life.With a prolific career spanning the illustration of over 50 books published globally—including titles in the United States, the United Kingdom, Romania, Moldova, and Hungary—Karda is a master of visual storytelling. This extensive background in narrative art deeply influences her canvas paintings. She decodes ancient symbols and traditional storytelling, using them as the foundational fabric of her visual language.However, her work is far from a simple, nostalgic reproduction of folklore. Karda juxtaposes the enchanting innocence of fairy tales against the hyper-reality and excessive romanticism of the modern world. In this tension, her narratives shift: the traditional tale becomes a mirror for contemporary society, subtly infused with cynical overtones and absurd, surreal elements.Zenko Karda’s powerful, thought-provoking art...

University of Art and Design,Timisoara
Member of:
BMC
UAP

Selected Exhibitions, Festivals & Professional Projects

2026
CONVERGENCE – International Exchange Exhibition
- Gallery ZEN | October 6–12, 2026
ART CHEONGJU 2026 – Art Fair & Festival
- Cheongju | October 8–11, 2026
-Book M@p, illustrator's exhibition, Botosani-Chisinau
-One Space four World-Bucureşti
- Under the Same Sky – International Interdisciplinary Group Exhibition, Bademler Art Village, Seferihisar, Türkiye
- Group Exhibition, Eskiiz Gallery, İzmir, Türkiye

2025

- Art & Science Festival, Group Exhibition, Mexico
- Group Exhibition, Shkodër, Albania

2024

- Solo Exhibition and Book Launch, Magyarság Háza – Literary Salon, Budapest, Hungary
- Koloratura Group Exhibition Tour, Romania & Budapest, Hungary

2023

- Art & Science Festival, Group Exhibition, Ankara, Türkiye
- Solo Exhibition, SepsiBook Festival, Romania

2022

- Solo Exhibition, Manchester, United Kingdom

2021

- Book illustrations published by Arthur Publishing, Kreatív Publishing and Vellant Publishing

2019

- Selected Artist, BookILL Fest – International Book Illustration Festival Exhibition
- Exhibition, Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB)
- Invited Artist, British Council Bucharest & Fabulafia – Bookfest Festival, Buch...